Healthy Relationships

Introduction

Relationships are a fundamental aspect of human existence, integral to our survival and personal growth. Those who cultivate healthy, positive, and supportive connections tend to experience greater happiness and well-being. Furthermore, strong relationships can be a powerful antidote to loneliness and play a significant role in alleviating mental health concerns such as stress and anxiety.

The resources compiled below are designed to guide you through the multifaceted landscape of relationships. They cover a range of topics, starting with an exploration of what constitutes a healthy relationship and how to spot potential warning signs that may signal trouble ahead. Understanding consent, including its definition and capacity, is crucial and is examined thoroughly, as is the influence of technology on our relationships.

Additionally, this guide provides practical advice and strategies to enhance your relationships. It includes effective communication techniques, conflict management skills, ways to support your partner, and guidance on when and where to seek professional help if needed.

By engaging with these resources, you will gain valuable insights and tools to help you build and maintain meaningful, fulfilling relationships.

Relationship Dynamics

Here you will find a range of different resources designed to help you to explore many the sides of relationships. These resources cover the characteristics of healthy relationships; 6 rules for healthy friendships; the signs of unhealthy power dynamics; building emotional intelligence and support in identifying relationship red flags.

Healthy relationshipsHealthy relationships depend on a few key elements. Take our healthy relationships quiz to find out the status of your situation.

Are Your Relationships Healthy? Here's How to TellHealthy relationships are marked by characteristics such as trust, openness, respect, and affection. Learn the signs of both healthy and unhealthy relationships.

7 Qualities of a Healthy and Successful Relationship - Grow Up, Grow OldDiscover the 7 key qualities of a healthy relationship, including trust, respect, communication, quality time, acceptance, commitment, and compromise.

Cultivating Healthy Relationship: A Guide to Reflection and GrowthCultivating and maintaining healthy relationships involves intentional effort, self-reflection, and a commitment to personal growth. So, how can we foster healthy relationships in today’s world?

Green Flags in Relationships: Find Out If You’re In The Right OneWe hear a lot about red flags, but what is are green flags in relationships, and why are they important to see if a new relationship has potential?

Top tips on building and maintaining healthy relationships

The signs of unhealthy power dynamics in a relationship — and how to even them outDoes your relationship suffer from unhealthy power dynamics? Here are some of the ways that psychologists conceptualize power imbalances.

6 Rules for Healthy FriendshipsIf you can’t follow the rules, healthy relationships don’t stand a chance.

Toxic Friendship: 24 Signs, Effects, and TipsWe often talk about toxicity in terms of romantic partners, but certain types of friends can be just as toxic.

Healthy Relationships: 32 Signs, Tips, Red Flags, and MoreMost people want a healthy relationship, but what does that really mean?

Emotional Intelligence

This short video explains the value of building your emotional intelligence and will give you 5 steps to improve your skills.

Red Flags in a Relationship: 15 Signs You Shouldn't IgnoreLearn how to identify and deal with red flags in a relationship. Our guide helps you spot red and yellow flags, know the difference, and set boundaries.

Understanding Consent

We all like to think we understand what consent is, but do we? Here you will find a range of different resources designed to help you to explore consent. These resources consider the legal definition of consent and the law; explore areas of mis-understanding; different cultural perspectives on the legal age of consent; capacity to consent- including the increase of spiking and how to protect yourself and others; and the impact of technology including sexting; sharing of images; revenge porn and new legislation on sexually explicit deepfakes.

What is consent in sexual relationships?How to recognise signs of consent in your partner, and how you should respond to this.

Young People Don’t Understand ConsentA survey has found that two thirds of young people think you can't say no after agreeing to sex online

Government cracks down on ‘deepfakes’ creationDespicable people who create sexually explicit ‘deepfakes’ will face prosecution under a new law announced by the government today (16 April 2024).

If your intimate photos or videos are shared without your consentWhat to do if intimate photos or videos are shared without your consent and how to go about having them removed.

9 celebrities with the scariest stalkers – from Harry Styles to Taylor SwiftBy now we’re well aware that being famous has its share of downsides too – including being followed by obsessive fans who sometimes take it too far

What is Consent?

What is consent? Assumptions about consent should never be an option.

The ages of consent around the worldBahrain and South Korea have highest minimum ages for consensual sex while Nigeria has lowest

Consent, you've all heard of it, here's six simple ways to understand it (with a sandwich)...

I asked my Wife about Sexual Consent, didn't go great...

Revenge Porn

Zara MacDermott explores the grim reality of Revenge Porn.

Online Abuse - Get Safe OnlineWhat online abuse is, the ways social media can be abused and what to do if you are a victim of online abuse

What is Spiking? | Commons Home Affairs Committee

Drink spiking has existed in the UK for many years but support for victims and prevention of the crime is lacking.

9 Top Tips for a Safe Night Out| Banner HealthIf you’re going out tonight, there are some important things to keep in mind to ensure it’s fun and safe. Here are 9 tips to remember before you go out.

Thousands of spiking incidents emerge ahead of freshers with vapes used on victimsExclusive: ‘After only two drinks I lost all control of my limbs and ability to talk. I was trapped within my own body and left powerless,’ woman says

Sexting And The Law | DBS Care ChecksA news article gained much press attention recently after a sexting scandal concerning a minor was highlighted. Visit us for all the information

Spiking: what to know and what to look out forSpiking is giving someone alcohol or drugs without their knowledge. This page explains how to tell if someone has been spiked, what to do if you think you have been spiked, what to do if a friend has been spiked, and how to prevent being spiked.

What is Sexual Consent?

Consent means actively agreeing to be sexual with someone. Any sexual activity without consent is rape or sexual assault. You get the final say over what happens with your body.

Healthy relationships are all about respecting each other. You should feel loved, safe and free to be yourself, however disrespectful and unacceptable behaviour can come in many forms. It isn’t limited to just physical behaviour; it can also go way beyond that.

If someone makes you do something you don’t want to, makes you feel scared, intimidated or tries controlling you, it’s not acceptable and is never OK.

Kaplan are here to help and support you.

Navigating Relationship Challenges

Here you will find a range of different resources designed to help you to improve the quality of your relationships. These resources consider new ways to improve communication in a relationship; different ways to discuss problems; a range of techniques to help you deal with conflict; and how to tackle loneliness.

7 Ways to Improve Communication in RelationshipsHow can you improve communication in a relationship?

How to talk about relationship problems with your partner | Movember ConversationsRelationships take work. Here are the signs of relationship problems and how to talk about them with your partner.

How to Make New FriendsLearn more about adult friendships, how and where to make new friends, how to make online friends, what not to do, and when you know you’re friends.

How to Effectively Communicate During Conflict (Without Making it Worse!) - Terri Cole

When you’re in the heat of a fight do you have a tendency to explode or say things you don’t mean? Or do you withdraw in anger and become silent? Both of these reactions to conflict are very common communication-blocking techniques. Effective communication is something we hear a lot about but often I think the meaning is unclear.

Loneliness isn't inevitable – a guide to making new friends as an adult

15 things to do if you're feeling lonely

How To Communicate In A Relationship, According To ExpertsHow To Communicate In A Relationship, According To Experts

3 ways to resolve a conflict | Dorothy Walker | TED Institute

Anybody can help resolve a conflict, says project manager Dorothy Walker. With three simple steps, she shares how you can use positive energy to solve conflicts between friends, coworkers, strangers, kids and beyond.

Find Events & Groups in United KingdomFind groups in United Kingdom to connect with people who share your interests. Join now to attend online or in person events.

Support

Here you will find a range of different resources designed to help you find support when you need it.

For any learner experiencing significant stress or concern, please contact our confidential safeguarding email: Safeguarding@kaplan.co.uk

For urgent and medical matters, we remind our learners to contact their GP or Dial 111/999 as appropriate.

If you are the victim of crime or if you witness a crime, you must call the Police on the emergency number 999.

You must also call 999 if anyone is in need of immediate medical help.

www.relate.org.uk/what-we-do/counselling/free-counselling-through-national-partnerships

How can I support someone I care about who has been sexually assaulted? - Sexual Violence Help and AdviceRape and sexual abuse can happen to anyone. The impact of sexual assault is likely to vary from person to person, but some common feelings and behaviors are: shamedepressionanxietydissociationflashbacksnightmaresirritability and outbursts of angersuicidal thoughts and suicidealcohol misuse and dependencesexual problems and confusion about sexualityself-blameminimizinghumiliationconfusiondistressedfearfeeling “numb” Everyone reacts differently to traumatic…

Sexual abuse supportSupport and resources for victims of sexual violence and abuse and friends and family of victims. Information about victims rights.

Samaritans - Here to listenSamaritans works to make sure there’s always someone there for anyone who needs someone. Read more.

Help after rape and sexual assaultFind out about sexual assault and rape, where to get help and whether it has to be reported to the police, plus how to find a sexual assault referral centre.

The Four Fear Responses: Fight, Flight, Freeze, and FawnLearn more about the four fear responses (fight, flight, freeze, and fawn), including what each looks like, and whether you can change your response to fear.

Useful Links & Support

For any learner experiencing significant stress or concern, please contact our confidential safeguarding email: Safeguarding@kaplan.co.uk

For urgent and medical matters, we remind our learners to contact their GP or Dial 111/999 as appropriate.

The following helplines may also be of assistance:

NSPCC Helpline 0808 800 5000: advice for anyone who has concerns about the welfare of a young person or child
Samaritans: 116123: support with many forms of emotional distress and the line is available 24 hours a day, free of charge.
Or you can email via jo@samaritans.org.uk or text SHOUT to 85258
https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/types-of-mental-health-problems/ Mind provide a wide-range of services relating to mental health
https://www.brook.org.uk/ Brook charity offer both clinical sexual health services and education as well as wellbeing services for young people.
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/stress-anxiety-depression/improve-mental-wellbeing/ The NHS offer advise on 5 steps to mental wellbeing
https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/coronavirus How to look after your mental health during the coronavirus outbreak
https://giveusashout.org/ Struggling to cope? When you text SHOUT to 85258, you are connected to a trained, empathetic and listening Shout Volunteer.
https://www.whatsupwitheveryone.com/ WUWE Create short mental wellbing videos through animation.
www.cwmt.org.uk a charity established in memory of Charlie Waller: the trust was founded by his family to educate young people about staying mentally well.
www.anxietyuk.org.uk a national charity run by people with lived experience of anxiety
www.addaction.org.uk which supports people to make positive changes around alcohol, drugs, mental health and wellbeing.
www.harmless.org.uk an organisation providing a range of service and coping strategies relating to self-harm
www.actionforhappiness.org a not for profit organisation committed to building a happier and more caring society
www.sleepio.com is an app for sleep management based on cognitive behavioural principles
www.moodpanda.com is an app-based platform allowing people to track their moods
https://thehappynewspaper.com/ The Happy News is a newspaper to celebrate all the good in the world and a platform to share postive and uplifting articles.
https://www.shoutoutuk.org/prevent/ Shout Out UK helps primary/secondary schools and colleges tackle extremism and radicalisation by using modern techniques to unite the classroom and build students’ critical thinking skills and emotional resilience.

Additional articles and resources

Physical well-being

Social well-being

Economic well-being

Sexual Consent