Healthy Relationships

This feature was created by Melissa, a former YouthResource intern

We all have relationships with many people in our lives and all of these relationships are different. Whether it is with friends, family, significant others, partners, acquaintances or anyone else, it is important to know how to have a healthy relationships with the people in our lives. Healthy relationships increase our self-esteem, improve mental and emotional health, and help us have fuller lives.

This feature focuses mostly on significant others, partners, girlfriends, boyfriends and intimate relationships. However, most everything found here can be applied to any relationship. Find out the difference between Healthy v. Unhealthy Relationships. If any behaviors in the unhealthy column sound familiar, learn more about unhealthy relationships and what to do. For additional information take a look at our dating violence feature and find some resources on these subjects.

Our relationships can all benefit by learning how to communicate with others in a healthy way. Learn general tips on communicating, how to work out disagreements, and how to talk about sex with others. Check out some good feeling words to use when you're talking with people. Learn about rights in personal relationships.

Dating and interpersonal relationships can be especially confusing for GLBTQ youth. There are so few queer relationships visible out there to learn from. Read some stories from queer youth about their own healthy relationships. And, read some quotes about what a number of young people