Emotional Well Being & Relationships

Emotional wellbeing refers to a young person’s ability to understand and manage their feelings, cope with everyday challenges, build confidence, and maintain positive relationships with others. Healthy relationships—whether with friends, family members, or romantic partners—should be based on respect, trust, kindness, and clear communication. During adolescence, young people experience significant emotional and social changes, which can sometimes make relationships more complex and difficult to manage. They may face challenges such as peer pressure, low self-esteem, anxiety, friendship breakdowns, bullying, social media pressures, or difficulties in forming a positive sense of identity. Relationships can become unhealthy when they involve controlling behaviour, manipulation, constant criticism, jealousy, intimidation, isolation from friends or family, or any form of emotional, physical, or online abuse. Supporting young people to recognise these signs early and encouraging open conversations at home can help them develop resilience, make safe choices, and build respectful, positive relationships.