A healthy relationship is based on trust and respect.
It’s when…
- You feel safe
- You are able to express your thoughts and feelings
- You listen to each other
- You feel like you can be yourself
- You enjoy spending time together
- You trust each other
- You are there for each other
- You try and help one another during hard times
- You can have different opinions and interests
- You can compromise, apologize and talk things out
- You can say “No” to things you don’t want to do
- You don’t have to spend all your time together
In a healthy relationship, you feel valued, respected, safe and free to be yourself.
If in one of your relationships, you…
- Are not able to be yourself
- Are scared to disagree
- Feel fearful and threatened
- Feel isolated and alone
- Feel the person doesn’t respect when you say “no”
- Are hurt physically
- Are hurt sexually
- Are being blamed for his/her behaviour
- Are being yelled at all the time, constantly criticized, often feeling embarrassed and humiliated
- Feel that s/he is jealous, possessive and controlling
- Are being lied to
- Are being told that you are wrong, stupid, crazy, or worthless
- Feel you have to change yourself in order to make the relationship work
GET HELP. If you or a friend is experiencing any of the above, these are warning signs of an unhealthy relationship. Feeling scared, humiliated, pressured or controlled is not the way you should feel in a relationship. You deserve to feel valued, respected, and free to be yourself. Your feelings and safety are important.
- Talk to an adult you trust (for example, a parent, teacher, guidance counsellor, neighbor, police officer, or doctor).
- Speak to a counsellor at the Kids Help Phone at 1-888-668-6868.
- Call the Assaulted Women's Helpline at 1-866-863-0511.
- In an emergency or immediate danger, call 911.