Healthy Relationships 1
Healthy Vs Unhealthy Relationships
Lesson duration is: 60 minItems in this lesson
Healthy Vs Unhealthy Relationships
When you hear the word “relationship”, what words come to mind?
🔴 1 in 3 teenagers experience emotional abuse in their first relationships
🔴 1 in 4 girls aged 16–19 have experienced physical violence from a partner
🔴 Abusive behaviours often start with “jokes”, jealousy and control
Which of these is a sign of a healthy relationship?
30
second
Your partner checks your phone
You feel scared to upset them
You can say no and still feel respected
They decide who you can talk to
Yes
No
Depends
Hypothetically; would you go through your partners phone?
30
second
1
minute
00
second
Myth
Fact
Love should not harm you
Love hurts sometimes
Jealousy = love
Jealousy = control
If they apologise, it’s okay
Apologies don’t erase patterns
Love should not harm you
The first warning signs are rarely hitting –
they usually start with:
Checking your phone
Getting angry when you see friends
Guilt-tripping
Silent treatment
Drag and Drop: Healthy Relationship Checklist
Should Have
Should Never have
Support
Threats
Isolation
Control
Trust
Fear
Respect
Communication
Why do you think people sometimes stay in unhealthy relationships?
Case Study: Jess
Jess’s boyfriend started asking for her phone “as a joke”.
He then told her who she could talk to.
He would ignore her for days if she didn’t reply instantly.
Eventually he threatened to hurt himself if she left.
Which red flags can you spot? 🚩
Which are red flags?
30
second
Makes you laugh
Blames you for their anger
Encourages your independence
Respects your boundaries
🔴 Emotional abuse can cause anxiety, depression, panic attacks and low self-worth
🔴 It can be harder to spot than physical abuse
Which would hurt you more long-term?
Being Shouted at
Being constantly made to feel small
Both
Not sure
Adam 17
“Adam, 17”
Adam’s girlfriend read all his messages, accused him of cheating and made him drop friends.
He felt lonely but thought it was “normal”.
Question:
What would you tell Adam?
People in controlling relationships are 4x more likely to suffer mental health problems
Manipulation
What is Manipulation?
Manipulation is when someone tries to control another person’s thoughts, feelings, or actions in an unfair or sneaky way.
Key points:
Often emotional, not physical
Can happen in friendships, dating, family, or online
Not always obvious at first
Manipulation Tactics
Guilt-Tripping
“You’re overreacting.”
“That never happened.”
Why it’s unhealthy:
Makes someone doubt their own feelings or memory.
If you really cared, you would…
Why it’s unhealthy:
Makes someone feel responsible for another person’s emotions.
Gaslighting
Manipulation Tactics
Playing the Victim
“If you don’t do this, I’m done.”
Why it’s unhealthy:
Uses fear to control behaviour.
“Everyone is against me.”
“I guess I’m just a terrible person then.”
Why it’s unhealthy:
Avoids responsibility and pressures others to give in.
Threats & Ultimatums
One word you will remember from today.
Support
If this connects to you:
Talk to a trusted adult
College safeguarding team
Childline 0800 1111
You deserve to feel safe ❤️
Love should feel safe, calm, supportive and equal.
If it doesn’t — it isn’t love.
