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Government experts tell us that anyone can become a missing person. People are not exempt from this condition regardless of age, educational background, ethnicity or gender.
For instance, although children are more likely to be reported missing than adults, adults are actually more likely to go missing over the long term.
There are many reasons that people can go missing. Let’s take a look at some of the most common.
One of the main reasons that young people go missing is because of arguments with their immediate families. Children who are growing up in households without two parents are more likely to go missing.
These kids may run away or they may be taken as a victim of crime due to parental negligence. You can protect children from going missing by keeping open lines of communication with them.
As elderly people grow weaker in mental capacity, they are more likely to go missing. They may forget where they are or be physically unable to remove themselves from a situation. If an older person is experiencing symptoms of conditions like dementia or Alzheimer’s disease, they are at higher risk of going missing.
Younger people may also go missing for reasons of mental health. In most of these cases, the problem is not decreased mental capacity.
When younger people end up missing because of a mental health issue, it usually comes from an inability to cope with a life situation. Poor mental health in all situations should be addressed by a dedicated professional for best results.
People who are at risk of suicide or having personal economic problems are at greater risk of going missing. It can be difficult to determine if a missing person has gone missing simply to think or to actually take his own life. This is why it is essential to locate people as soon as possible after they are reported missing.
Homeless people are also at a higher risk of going missing. The responsibility of keeping up a home helps to keep people connected to their surrounding communities through work and social associations. Homeless people have fewer connections like this, and they are more likely to feel disconnected and remove themselves from society.
The list above is certainly not a comprehensive list of reasons people go missing. If your loved ones are experiencing any of the symptoms above or simply expressing detachment, get them help. It is much better to take on these problems before they come to the point of physical separation.
