Relationships significantly influence our happiness, mental health, and sense of connection to others. Whether with family, friends, partners, or colleagues, many people just want to feel loved, supported and happy. Healthy relationships foster support, trust, and emotional well-being. However, challenges in relationships do happen, which can significantly impact our mental and emotional health. 

This page offers guidance on navigating multiple types of relationships, identifying healthy and unhealthy dynamics, and finding support during difficult moments.

If you or someone you know is experiencing relationship problems, we are here to support. Text CONNECT to 741741 for free, confidential support from a trained volunteer Crisis Counselor, available 24/7.

10 Signs  of a Healthy Relationship #

A healthy, strong relationship is built on a variety of factors, including: 

• Trust: Feeling secure and confident in the other person. 
• Respect: Treating each other fairly while valuing boundaries, feelings, and individuality. 
• Communication: Having open, honest, and empathetic conversations—with understanding and no judgment. 
• Support: Encouraging growth for each other, celebrating successes, and providing comfort during challenging moments. 
• Emotional connection: A deep sense of closeness between two people where they feel safe to share feelings, vulnerabilities, and experiences.
• Empathy: Understanding and validating each other’s feelings and perspectives, even when you disagree, fosters closeness.
• Mutual effort: Both individuals actively contribute to the relationship’s growth and addressing challenges together creates a sense of balance and partnership.
• Boundaries: Establishing and respecting personal limits to ensure each person feels comfortable and safe.
• Adaptability: Being flexible and open to change as circumstances and relationships evolve.
• Shared values: Aligning core beliefs, goals, and priorities fosters unity and purpose.
• Fun and laughter: Sharing humor and playfulness strengthens connection and relieves tension.

While many elements can impact the dynamics of a relationship, these can create a foundation for positive interactions and mutual growth. 

Did you know?  According to Northwestern Medicine, there are many benefits of healthy relationships, including less stress and a greater sense of purpose.

5 Signs of Unhealthy or Toxic Relationships #

While healthy relationships are the goal, unhealthy ones may have the potential to develop over time or reveal themselves in challenging situations. Recognizing the signs of a toxic partner is an essential step toward seeking help and creating change. Some signs include:

• Controlling behavior: Monitoring activities, dictating decisions, or isolating someone from friends and family. Control may begin subtly, like frequent check-ins, and escalate over time to more overt behaviors.
• Lack of respect: Ignoring boundaries, belittling achievements, invalidating feelings, or using dismissive language can erode trust and self-esteem.
• Poor communication: Healthy dialogue gives way to yelling, stonewalling (shutting down during disagreements), or avoiding essential conversations altogether.
• Manipulation: Using tactics such as guilt, deceit, or emotional coercion to influence decisions or maintain power in the relationship.
• Abuse: This can take various forms, including emotional, verbal, physical, sexual, or financial mistreatment. Abuse often leads to feelings of fear, helplessness, and isolation. Learn more about abuse. 

Unhealthy behaviors, left unaddressed, can significantly impact mental and emotional well-being. Remember, no one deserves to feel unsafe, disrespected, or undervalued in a relationship.

Take Action:
If any of these resonate, it’s crucial to seek support. Talk to someone you trust, connect with a professional, or access crisis resources.

• Resource Highlight: If you or someone you know is in an abusive relationship, visit The National Domestic Violence Hotline for confidential help and guidance.
• Immediate Support: Text CONNECT to 741741 to chat with a live volunteer Crisis Counselor 24/7.

By acknowledging the signs of an unhealthy relationship and seeking support, you can take steps toward safety, healing, and healthier connections.

Common Relationship Issues #

According to the JED Foundation, many people face problems in their relationships, and some include: 

• Conflict resolution: Struggling to find healthy ways to address disagreements. 
• Finances: Differing financial priorities, spending habits, or power imbalances can create tension.
• Attachment issues: Feeling overly dependent or distant from others. 
• Breach of trust and jealousy: Managing insecurity or distrust—whether personal or caused by a partner’s actions—can quickly escalate into deeper issues.
• Breakups or divorce: Coping with the loss of a significant relationship. 
• Infidelity: Rebuilding trust after betrayal. 
• Family stress: Navigating complex dynamics, caregiving, or estrangement. 
• Cultural differences: Balancing varying traditions, values, or expectations within relationships. 
• Parenting conflicts: Disagreeing on child-rearing approaches or responsibilities. 
• Work-life balance: Managing the impact of professional stress on personal connections. 

Acknowledging these challenges is the first step toward improving relationships. By addressing them with open communication, mutual understanding, and the willingness to seek support when needed, you can foster stronger and more resilient connections.

You don’t have to navigate relationship problems alone. If you need someone to talk to, text CONNECT to 741741 to chat with a trained volunteer Crisis Counselor at any time.

How to Strengthen Relationships with a Partner, Friend, or Family Member #

There are many ways to make a relationship work, however, improving relationships takes effort, intention, and understanding from all sides. Whether you’re addressing challenges in a romantic relationship or with a friend, or family member, the following tips can help build trust long term and create meaningful change.

1. Communicate openly: Share feelings, listen actively, and clarify any misunderstandings that might have occurred. For example, instead of assuming someone knows how you feel, say: “I felt hurt when this happened because it made me feel unappreciated.” Active listening also means responding thoughtfully rather than defensively. 
2. Set boundaries: Establish clear expectations to maintain mutual respect. This might mean limiting how you share your time or agreeing on how disagreements should be handled. For instance, if a friend often cancels plans at the last minute, you could say: “I value the time we spend together, and it’s disappointing when plans fall through. Can we figure out a way to plan activities that work better for both of us?”
3. Prioritize quality time: Spend meaningful moments together to strengthen your bond. This could mean planning a weekly dinner with a partner where you both put your phones away or taking time to reconnect with a parent over coffee or a shared activity.
4. Learn each other’s love languages: Everyone receives platonic and romantic love in different ways. For example, you may love to give hugs but a friend isn’t a big fan of physical touch, so they don’t feel loved when you hug them. Reflect and discover how you give love in a way they can appreciate and receive love based on your love language.
5. Seek support: Couples or individual therapy can provide tools for growth and healing. A professional can guide you in navigating conflicts, understanding past behaviors, or rebuilding trust in ways that feel safe and supported. 

Finding and practicing tips on how to build lasting connections with those you love is a great way to navigate challenges when they arise or strengthen relationships over time. 

Do I Need Help With My Relationships? #

It can be hard to determine if you are experiencing common relationship problems or if you need to seek help.Reflect on the following questions to help guide you:

• Do I feel heard, valued, and respected in my relationships? 
• Am I afraid to express my thoughts or feelings? 
• Am I having constant trust issues?
• Are conflicts frequent, unresolved, or escalating? 
• Does my partner or loved one make me feel isolated or unsupported? 

If you answered “yes” to any of these, consider seeking professional support. 

Would you like to chat through a relationship situation with a trained volunteer Crisis Counselor? For 24/7 support, text CONNECT to 741741—we’re available to help if you need to talk through relationship issues. 

Supporting a Loved One in a Challenging Relationship #

If someone you care about is facing difficulties in a relationship, it can be challenging as a bystander to support someone on the sidelines. You can help by: 

• Listening without judgment: Offer a safe space for them to share.
• Providing encouragement and helpful tools: Suggest professional resources if needed. 
• Being patient: Change takes time, and your support can make a difference. 

Avoid blaming, forcing decisions, or minimizing their experiences. These behaviors can strain your relationship and hinder their trust in your support.
Explore 13 ways to support a friend going through a breakup.

Additional Resources #

We’re here for you. Explore Crisis Text Line’s extensive list of accessible, inclusive, and free or affordable resources here. 
If you or someone you know needs immediate support, text CONNECT to741741 to connect with a Crisis Text Line counselor at any time.