Runaway Prevention Month highlights support for at-risk youth

National Runaway Prevention Month is highlighting the risks facing runaway and at-risk youth this November, with a focus on early support and understanding why young people leave home.

Led by the Missing Children Society of Canada, the month-long campaign aims to raise awareness of the challenges youth face, help people recognize warning signs and connect young people and families with support.

The campaign emphasizes a shared role for families, trusted adults, schools, police, youth-serving organizations and communities in strengthening connections and making support easier to access.

The society says prevention starts with listening.

It says helping youth feel heard, understand their options and access safe people and resources can provide an opportunity to intervene before they go missing.

About nine in 10 people who go missing in Canada are runaways, according to Canada’s Missing.

About seven in 10 runaways are teens.

Young people may run away because of conflict, abuse, neglect or feeling unheard. Supportive conversations and early support can help.

The RCMP’s National Centre for Missing Persons and Unidentified Remains (NCMPUR) assists law enforcement, medical examiners and chief coroners with investigations across Canada.

The NCMPUR recorded 34,189 reports of missing children in 2025, including 24,050 classified as runaways. It reported that 78 per cent of missing children were between the ages of 14 and 17.

The Missing Children Society of Canada says every situation is different and there is often more to the story of why a young person leaves.

The society encourages people to listen without judgment, understand the challenges youth face and consider what support could help them feel safe.

 Go Green Day on Nov. 4

Landmarks across Canada will light up green on Nov. 4 and throughout November to recognize National Runaway Prevention Month.

The green lights symbolize community support for youth and carry the message, “You’re not alone.”

Go Green Day map. (Image Credit: Missing Children Society of Canada)

More information about National Runaway Prevention Month can be found here.

If someone is missing or in danger, contact police right away.

Anyone who needs help can call the Children’s Help Line at 1-800-668-6868.