Homepage > Relationships > Missing People
- Someone close to you is missing?
- How can I help find a missing person
- Missing/Runaway?
- Why do young people runaway?
- Emergency contact numbers
Someone close to you is missing?
If someone close to you is missing then you are probably experiencing a range of emotions, worried, sad and even scared. You are probably feeling that you should be doing something to help, but are unsure how? Not knowing is understandably confusing and distressing and you may need to know where you can gain support. You can find support at your local Connexions Centre of from the contact numbers listed below.
How can I help find a missing person?
The best thing that you can do is to discuss with others any behavioural changes or emotional problems that you’re relative or friend may have experienced before they went missing. Discuss where the person was last seen? Where they like to hang out? Who do they hang out with? This will help the authorities to finding the missing person quickly.
Some people are missing because they have decided to runaway. Running away is never advisable. No matter why you want to leave, you will find that getting help whilst staying at home is a better option than You will have no one to care for you and will most probably be homeless or “sofa surfing” (spending nights at different friends houses). Most young people consider running away due to problems within the family. Try to think about the added stress that you will add to others by running away and what you will benefit from it.
Young people sometimes decide to run away for a number of different reasons including:
- An argument with family
- Abuse
- Parents separating
- Death in the family
- Children of parents with alcohol or drug addiction
- Problems at school
Running away is never the right thing to do. It may seem like the right thing to do at the time but it will probably make things worse. Help is available from your local Connexions Centre.
- Childline: 0800 1111
- NSPCC: 0808 800 5000
- Connexions Direct: 080 800 13 2 19 (8am – 2am 7 days a week)
- Missing People: 0500 700 700 (24 hour confidential free phone service)
- Runaway helpline: 0808 800 7070
Kids health
Looks at why people runaway and the reality of running away.
Missing people
This site works with young runaways , missing and unidentified people, their families and others who care for them.
Shelter
Further advice and useful contact numbers