We can have relationships with many people:

 

Ourselves, parents, friends, boyfriends, employers, pets, shop assistant, aerobics instructor – anyone.

The type end levels of relationships we have with these people or things vary from person to person. To have a deeper kind of relationship, mainly friends, parents and boyfriends, we usually need a deeper level of trust, and this usually happens over a longer time period.

 

The most important thing in any of these relationships is that not only do you need to look after the other person, you need to look after yourself!

 

WHAT IS A HEALTHY RELATIONSHIP?

 

People in a healthy relationship…..

 

• Can be themselves whilst being together
• Bring out the best in each other
• Support each other
• Don’t attempt to change or control each other
• Trust on another
• Have fun together
• Are comfortable together
• Respect each other’s decisions, feelings and thoughts
• Are honest with each other and themselves
• Are willing to compromise and work together
• Accept the good and the bad
• Can talk openly without ridicule

 

SIGNS OF AN UNHEALTHY RELATIONSHIP

 

People in an unhealthy relationship may experience one of the following….

 

• Having to be careful around their partner to avoid their anger
• Feeling pressured by their partner when it comes to sex
• Being scared to disagree with their partner
• Having their partner always checking up on what they have been doing without them
• Being made to feel stupid, crazy or inadequate by a partner
• Being threatened by a partner with violence or threatening behaviour
• Being prevented by a partner from going out or doing things that they want
• Having to do things that please their partner rather than themselves

• Being unable to spend time with friends because of a partner’s jealousy
• Accepting excuses for a partner’s abusive behaviour eg. “They had too much to drink it wasn’t really their fault.

 

If you experience any of the above situations, please remember that you are not alone.

You can always talk to friends and family about what is happening, or there are services in the community that you can access:

• Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Service (South West) - http://www.dvrs-sw.org.au/
• Young Women’s Place – (see location page)
• Relationships Australia - http://www.relationships.com.au/
• Lifeline (24 hour counselling hotline) – 13 11 14
• Or you can contact your school nurse or guidance officer.