Resource Round-Up! Relationships, Dating, and Support

Relationships can sometimes be challenging, but in the potentially hyper-tense atmosphere of staying at home, issues can arise with your partner, family, or roommate, that require some special attention. They can also cause mental health challenges for us, including feelings of suicide or self-harm.

This Resource Round-Up from Healthy Futures of Texas focuses our relationships with our romantic partners and our families, at every stage. We’ve got resources for parents, teens, people experiencing abuse, LGBTQ youth, and more.

You can start here with a great resource on how to determine whether your relationship is healthy. loveisrespect’s Relationship Spectrum is a great tool we recommend.

We also love this resource for teens on how to have a healthy relationship and what to do if you’re experiencing teen dating violence. Check out That’s Not Cool, and share with a friend or on your social media.

What to Do if You're Isolated With an Abuser During the Coronavirus Crisis

From Healthy Teen Network:

As everyone is practicing social distancing in an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19, many young people have suddenly found themselves isolated with an abuser. Schools have closed, college students have been sent home, and millions of Americans are either working from home or have recently lost their jobs due to the economic impact of COVID-19. Without a chance to prepare, someone may be spending every waking hour in an abusive parent or partner's presence. Unsurprisingly, domestic violence organizations report that phone calls for help have increased. Although official data isn’t yet available, Erica Fischer-Kaslander, Executive Director of Passaic County Court Appointed Special Advocates, tells Teen Vogue she’s observed an increase in her county of new domestic violence cases. So if someone is isolated with an abuser, the most important thing to remember is that they’re not alone and help is still available. Shelters are doing their best to remain open, but having a detailed safety plan is necessary if the need to escape arises. Many safety plans hinge on being able to confide in a trusted person who will do everything in their power to help. If there isn't a friend or family member who fits this description, there are systems in place to help. Fischer-Kaslander tells Teen Vogue that The National Domestic Violence Hotline is the best resource for victims all over the country. The organization can be reached online or by phone 24 hours a day, seven days a week. “They’ll take basic info to find where you are,” she explains. “If you need a shelter referral they’ll connect you directly to not only shelters but also other resources you may need like counseling.” (Teen Vogue, 4/2/2020)