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Relationships
Having a happy positive relationship is good for your mental health.
What’s a relationship to you? Boyfriend or girlfriend? Family? Uncles, Aunts and screaming cousins? Carers or Guardians? Work relationships? A one-night stand? It can be any of those and a whole lot more.
In this section we look at some of the more important relationships and how they can affect you. You’ll find information on serious issues like abuse and living in care as well as articles on relationships, written by young people for young people!
In a good relationship you should feel:
- Positive & comfortable about yourself.
- Confident & loved, wanted, needed and useful.
- Having a happy positive relationship is good for your mental health, this goes for all relationships like with your parents, family, friends & boy/girlfriends.
In a bad relationship you could be left feeling:
- Confused! Loving & hating the person at the same time.
- Angry with yourself or them.
- Trapped.
- Depressed & worthless.
These kind of feelings can bring you down and affect you mental health, that's why it's so important to choose your friends wisely. Negative feelings can impact on you and affect your future relationships. If you are in a relationship that is abusive, be that emotionally, physically or sexually, it's time to sort it out - or get out. There's no point staying in a relationship just for the sake of it. Communicate how you really feel and if your needs aren't being met stop fooling yourself; it's time to move on.
Tips for better communication
- Try to listen to the other person's point of view even if you don't agree.
- Be respectful (even if the other person is not). Don't resort to cursing, shouting or put-downs.
- Try to let the other person finish before you have your say.
- Make your point as clearly as you can.
- Choose a good time to discuss touchy subjects.
- Be as open and honest as you can.
- Be reasonable. Ask for what you want but accept that sometimes it is not possible or practical. Communicating well means telling each other in an open and honest way what you think - the good and the not so good.
Some content thanks to YouthHealthNE authors.
Find more information and support:
Women’s Aid
Web: www.womensaid.ie/ Email: info@womensaid.ie Tel: 1800 341 900
Women's Aid provides direct support services to women experiencing male violence and abuse.
Positive Options
Web: www.positiveoptions.ie
Positive Options is a directory of organisations who offer advice and counselling to women who find themselves with an unexpected pregnancy.
Treoir
Web: www.treoir.ie Email: info@treoir.ie Tel: LoCall: 1890 252 084 or 01 6700 120
Provides supportive information for parents who are not married to each other.
Rape Crisis Network Ireland
Web: http://rcni.ie/rape-crisis-centres-map.aspx
RCNI provides support and information to members of rape crisis centres around the country.
National Network of Women’s Refuges and Support Services (NNWRSS)
Web: www.nnwrss.com/index.htm Email: admin@nnwrss.com Tel: 090 6479078
The Network and its membership strive for the creation of a society that accepts its responsibility for the eradication of all forms of violence against women and their children.
AMEN
Web: www.amen.ie
AMEN is a voluntary group which provides a confidential helpline, information and a support service for male victims of domestic abuse and their children.
