Romantic relationships and well-being
Romantic relationships can feel exciting, confusing and even overwhelming. It’s important to know what makes a romantic relationship healthy and how to maintain your mental health along the way.
A relationship is a connection between people shaped by shared experiences, interactions and emotional ties. Relationships can take many forms like friendships, family connections, romantic partnerships and more.1
A romantic relationship is a specific type of relationship. Romantic relationships can look different for everyone, and there is no one “right” way for a romantic relationship to look. What is important is that the people in the relationship feel respected and comfortable.
Supportive romantic relationships can have a positive impact on your well-being. They can also help you build healthy communication and coping strategies. On the other hand, relationships that are demanding and unhealthy can negatively affect your well-being.2
There can be a lot of pressure to be in a romantic relationship but remember that there is no timeline for this. Dating can look different for everyone, but healthy relationships are age-appropriate and rooted in mutual respect.
It’s completely okay to take your time and focus on building and maintaining other important relationships in your life (like with friends, family members and trusted adults) as well as putting energy into your hobbies, interests and personal goals.
Signs of a healthy relationship
Healthy friendships and healthy romantic relationships actually have a lot in common. Like a supportive friend, a supportive romantic partner is someone who:
- treats you with respect
- accepts you for who you are
- makes you feel safe and understood
- is honest and trustworthy
- works through problems kindly
- brings fun, comfort and support
The main difference is the type of closeness you share. Romantic relationships often involve deep emotional feelings, affection and intimacy. Signs of a healthy relationship also include: 3
- being able to talk to a partner and have them listen to you, even about topics that might be embarrassing
- trusting them and feeling like you can be open with them about your ideas and feelings
- maintaining your independence – being able to be yourself, have your own hobbies and relationships and not needing to be in constant contact with a partner
- feeling confident in yourself and not depending on a partner to feel good about who you are as a person
Unhealthy relationships
Disagreements and arguments can happen in all relationships. But if you start feeling insecure, anxious, scared or consistently uncomfortable in a relationship, this can be a warning sign that it’s unhealthy. Other signs may include:
- pressure to do things you aren’t ready for or don’t want to do
- disrespect, like putting you down, ignoring your boundaries, or acting like your feelings don’t matter
- dishonesty like lying or hiding information from you
- isolation, like separating you from your friends, family or activities you enjoy
- gaslighting, which is when someone repeatedly makes you doubt your own thoughts, feelings or memories (they might deny what happened, twist the situation or dismiss your feelings, which can leave you feeling confused, unsure of yourself or like you’re always in the wrong)4
No matter what the relationship looks like or how long it’s been, you deserve to feel respected, safe and valued. If something feels off, talking to a trusted adult can help you understand what’s happening and decide what to do next.
For more, check out Healthy relationships vs. unhealthy relationships by Kids Help Phone.
What to do if your romantic relationship doesn’t feel healthy
If you’re worried that a romantic relationship isn’t supportive for you, here are some tips you can try:
Pause and reflect – Think about how your relationship usually makes you feel. How do you feel before you spend time with them compared to after? Do you notice changes in your mood, energy or sense of safety? Does this pattern happen consistently, or only sometimes?
Talk it out – If something in the relationship makes you uncomfortable or unsure, consider sharing your feelings with them. Healthy relationships allow people to be honest and listen to each other without judgment. You can set boundaries, express what you need and see if the relationship can be adjusted in a way that feels safe and respectful for each person in the relationship.
Reach out for support – Talk to a trusted adult like a parent/caregiver, relative, school staff member, coach, faith leader, or Elder. You can also check out our Helpline Hub for supports available to you. You don’t have to figure it out alone.
Romantic relationships may change
As you grow, your wants and needs change too. That means some romantic relationships may not last, and that’s completely normal.
Breakups can hurt even if the relationship was short or ending it was the right choice. Give yourself time to feel your feelings. Doing things that make you feel good can help.
Here are some ideas:
- talking to your friends or loved ones
- moving your body as you’re able to
- connecting with nature
- writing down your thoughts
- giving yourself space to feel your feelings without judgement
- reconnecting with a hobby you enjoy or exploring a new one
Remember, a relationship ending doesn’t mean the relationship was a failure. It means you’re growing and making space in your life for new experiences and connections
Closing
As you think about the romantic relationships you have or the ones you might hope to have, pay attention to how they make you feel or how you want them to make you feel. Remember, romantic relationships aren’t the only sources of connection or support. Friends, family members, mentors, coaches, Elders, faith leaders and school staff are all people you can lean on and learn from as you grow. Strong, meaningful relationships, whether romantic or otherwise, take time. Keep being curious, kind and true to yourself.
For more on romantic relationships, check out these resources from Kids Help Phone:
- Ontario Psychological Association. (2023, December 21). The psychology of relationships: Connections for better well-being. https://www.psych.on.ca/Public/Blog/2023/the-psychology-of-relationships
- Kansky, J., & Allen, J. P. (2018). Long-term risks and possible benefits associated with late adolescent romantic relationship quality. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 47(7), 1531–1544. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-018-0813-x
- PREVNet (n.d.). Building healthy Relationships. https://www.prevnet.ca/resource/building-healthy-relationships-2/
- Centre for Research and Education on Violence Against Women and Children, Western University. (n.d.). Gaslighting in Intimate Relationships. Retrieved December 15, 2025, from https://www.gbvlearningnetwork.ca/our-work/backgrounders/gaslighting_in_intimate_relationships/index.html