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Someone I know needs help with…

Relationships

Our relationships with other people are important to our mental health, so it’s important to have healthy relationships. Having good relationships with your family and friends can boost your mood and support you when you go through difficult times.

 

If someone you care about doesn’t have many close relationships, or if an important relationship in their life ends, they might feel lonely. If their relationships are negative, abusive or involve violence this can make them feel unsafe, scared and sad.

 

How can I help someone I care about with their relationships?

It is never too late to make new friends, to try and mend existing relationships, or to escape from dangerous or unhealthy relationships. You can support your loved one by helping them explore their options.

 

If they are struggling with loneliness and finding it hard to meet people, try our loneliness and social isolation page for advice. If they are having difficulties in a relationship with someone they love, couples therapy or family therapy could help.  Sexual difficulties can also be an important part of a relationship with a partner.

Take a look at our Get Help Now section further down this page for information about getting support.

 

Understanding your loved one’s barriers

It might be difficult for the person you care about to build relationships with other people and to trust them. There are lots of reasons why relationships might be hard for them:

  • They might have autism or a learning disability which means that it can be difficult to understand other people and learn how to talk to them.
  • If they have been harmed or hurt by someone they trusted in the past, that can make it difficult to trust other people and it could make them have their guard up.
  • They might be struggling with a mood difficulty like anxiety, anger or depression that makes it difficult to open up to other people.
  • They might feel different or unsure of themselves and find it hard to connect with other people.

Understanding what is going on for the person you care about can help you to tailor the way you support them.

 

What can I do if I think someone I care about is experiencing abuse or violence?

It can be hard for sufferers of domestic abuse to recognise that someone is being abusive to them, and even harder to talk about. Let them know that you are worried about them, make time to ask them how they are when they are away from anyone you think might be hurting them. Let them know that you are there to support and not to judge them.

 

There are different types of abuse in close relationships:

  • Physical abuse – being physically hurt, including being restrained.
  • Psychological or emotional abuse – being regularly ignored, criticised, or humiliated. This also includes coercive control.
  • Neglect – not looking after your medical, emotional, or physical needs.
  • Sexual abuse – any type of sexual activity that you do not agree to willingly.
  • Financial abuse – including controlling your money, theft, and fraud.

 

 

If someone is being violent or abusive towards your friend or family member, encourage them to ask for support. If they are thinking of leaving a relationship with an abusive or violent partner, it is important to support them to get help (hyperlink to “Get Help Now” section of this tile) and not to do it alone. Leaving can be scary, but with support they can be free.

 

Get Help Now