Relationships
Friendships, Intimate, Family, School, or Workplace

A relationship, whether it is a friendship, an intimate partner, a family member, or even among coworkers in the workplace, can have a significant impact to your emotional and physical well-being and overall quality of life. The type of impact depends on if the relationship is healthy or unhealthy. Recognizing the differences between the two is essential for maintaining healthy connections with others, while supporting your mental health and wellness.

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Healthy Relationships

Signs of a Healthy Relationship
In a healthy relationship, you should feel valued, respected, and supported. 

• Respecting Each Other's Boundaries: Acknowledging and honoring personal limits
  
• Feeling Secure and Content: Creating a safe and fulfilling environment
• Treating Each Other with Respect: Valuing each other's feelings and opinions
• Building Trust: Having faith in one another’s intentions and actions
• Embracing Healthy Disagreements: Feeling comfortable discussing differences and resolving conflicts
• Ensuring Safety: Avoiding violence or threats in interactions
• Communicating Openly: Sharing thoughts and feelings freely and honestly
• Enjoying Shared Time: Valuing the moments spent together
• Feeling Secure During Time Apart: Maintaining trust and stability even when apart
• Making Healthy Choices Individually: Making responsible decisions regarding alcohol and drug use
• Collaborative Decision-Making: Making choices together as a team
• Listening to Each Other: Valuing and respecting differing viewpoints and emotions
• Supporting Each Other's Interests: Encouraging and fostering each other's passions and hobbies
• Promoting Friendships: Supporting each other's social connections
• Taking an Interest in Each Other's Lives: Engaging with each other's families, friends, health, school, and work
• Honesty in Intimacy: Being open about past sexual experiences if intimate
• Open Communication in Intimate Relationships: Discussing needs and feelings regarding the sexual relationship transparently

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Unhealthy Relationships

Signs of an Unhealthy Relationship
Unhealthy relationships can leave you feeling uncomfortable, hurt, and burdened with unnecessary responsibility. Here are some key warning signs:

1. Displays jealousy or possessiveness
2. Insists on being in control
3. Demonstrates a quick temper
4. Assumes they know how you feel without asking
5. Engages in manipulation
6. Neglects your feelings
7. Blames you for their emotions or actions, such as anger or sadness
8. Dismisses your concerns as “too sensitive” or “overreacting”
9. Reacts defensively to criticism or perceived slights
10. Struggles to identify and express their own feelings
11. Avoids discussions, negotiations, or compromises
12. Holds onto stereotypical gender roles
13. Objectifies the opposite sex
14. Makes insulting or demeaning comments
15. Expects unrealistic behaviors or standards from you
16. Relies on alcohol, drugs, or other substances to cope with stress
17. Pressures you to use substances
18. Exerts pressure for sexual encounters
19. Issues threats towards you, your pet, or others
    
20. Has a history of physical or verbal altercations
21. Ridicules, belittles, or criticizes you
    
22. Uses intimidation or physical force to prevent you from leaving the relationship
    
23. Follows you or shows up at unwanted times (stalking)
    

 
Recognizing these signs can help you understand the dynamics of your relationship and take steps towards a healthier situation.

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Need help?

If have have any of the signs of an "unhealthy" relationship, the following resources are available.

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In immediate danger

• Call 911
• If you or someone is feeling hopeless, helpless, thinking of suicide, contact 988 Lifeline:
  • Chat with Lifeline
  • Call or text 988
  • For Spanish speakers, call 988, then press 2 or visit Ayuda en Español: Lifeline
  • For deaf/hard of hearing, dial 711, then 988
  • For Veterans
    • Call 988, then press 1
    • Text 838255
      
    • Chat with Veterans Crisis Line

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The Hotline

• Call 800-799-7233
  
• Text, "START" to 88788
• Chat live

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Love Is Respect

• Call 866-331-9474
• Text, "LOVEIS" to 22522
• Chat live
  

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Teen Line

• Call 800-852-8336
• Text, "TEEN" to 839863
  

• Emotional and psychological abuse (verbal abuse)
  
• Physical abuse
  
• Sexual abuse
  

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Back to Health and Wellness

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