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A Quarterly Guide: Term 2

Mental Wellness

Nurturing Healthy Relationships

Tips for effective communication

Be respectful. Be kind. Show empathy.

Be descriptive and specific about your concerns.

Pay attention to what you're communicating non-verbally (through body language) and your tone of voice.

Be assertive. Try using "I" statements.

Ex. Instead of "Don't yell at me, you jerk!"

Try Saying

"I felt uncomfortable when you raised your voice."

Practice Active Listening

  • Make eye contact
  • Listen carefully and don't interrupt
  • Refrain from arguing back
  • Ask open-ended or clarifying questions to get a better understanding of their concerns
  • Accept the other person's feelings without judgement

Express Yourself in a Healthy Way

Things To Do!

  • Remain confident, calm, and respectful.
  • Be considerate of others.
  • Be a good listener.
  • Stop, pause, and think about what you want to say.

Things To Avoid!

  • Do not place blame or be critical of others.
  • Don't assume you know what others are thinking or feeling, just ask!
  • Don't keep things in; tell others how you feel, respectfully!
  • Avoid difficult conversations when you are angry or upset. Wait until you feel calm and can think more clearly.
Express yourself in a healthy way infographic

Relationship Spectrum

Healthy

A healthy relationship means both you and your partner are:

  • Communicating
  • Respectful
  • Trusting
  • Honest
  • Equal
  • Enjoying personal time away from each other
  • Making mutual choices
  • Economic/financial partners

Unhealthy

You may be in an unhealthy relationship if your partner is:

  • Not communicating
  • Disrespectful
  • Not trusting
  • Dishonest
  • Trying to take control
  • Only spending time together
  • Pressured into activities
  • Unequal economically

Abusive

Abuse is occurring in a relationship when one partner is:

  • Communicating in a hurtful or threatening way
  • Mistreating
  • Accusing the other of cheating when it's untrue
  • Denying their actions are abusive
  • Controlling
  • Isolating their partner from others
Relationship spectrum infographic

Trust, Respect, Honesty

Does your relationship pass the test? Take the respectfully quiz to find out. These traits and more are core to a healthy relationship. If you're questioning whether your relationship is the right fit.

Respectfully Quiz (opens in new tab)

Resources for LGBTQ+ Youth

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