The way that we get along with each other is really important to important to most of us. The relationships which we have with other people come in many forms. Such as the relationships we have with family, partners, friends, colleagues and neighbours
Mental health contributes to the functioning of human relationships. Mental health problems can effect even basic interactions with family, friends and colleagues. Some people suffering from mental health problems find it difficult to nurture relationships, have problems with commitment or intimacy and frequently encounter sexual health issues.
Healthy relationships can mean different things to different people. Families are important and may play a big part in your life. Staff should ask you what you think, about what help you need with relationships and sex and when an important decision has to be made about your sexual health.
However, you have the right to keep stuff about relationships and sex private from your family if you want to. Staff should always ask you first before talking to your family. Staff should protect you from people who may hurt you and help you learn how to protect yourself. You may need to find out about:
- How to make decisions about whether people can be trusted
- How to say you don’t want to have a relationship with someone
- Good touch and bad touch
- Who to tell if someone is hurting you
A healthy sex life is an important part of a person’s wellbeing. People can sometimes have difficulties, for example:
- Unintended pregnancy
- Sexually transmitted infections
- Low self esteem, anxiety or depression
- Passing infections on to others
- Relationship problems.
Suggestions which may help:
- Hugging and kissing can be as rewarding as sex
- Sex should be fun and not harmful to anyone
- Intimacy results from awareness of your partner's needs as well as your own
- Discuss any problems away from the bedroom
- Ask for professional advice if necessary or seek advice from the NHS Choices website www.nhs.uk
- Be honest about what you want from your partner.
Local support
National support
Ask for professional advice if necessary or seek advice from the NHS website
Factsheets are available from Mencap and Easy Health:
Mental health largely contributes to the functioning of human relationships. Mental health problems can effect even basic interactions with family, friends and colleagues. Most people suffering from mental health problems find it difficult to nurture relationships, have problems with commitment or intimacy and frequently encounter sexual health issues.
- Fathers' Guide to having a Disabled Child
- Teenage Health Freak website - relationships
- Teenage Health Freak website - sex
- Royal College of Psychiatrists - children and young people and mental health
