Healthy, supportive relationships are vital to our wellbeing, especially in times of stress and isolation, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Being apart from or being in constant close proximity to our partners can create or exacerbate issues. General stress levels can also put strain on intimate relationships. Think about your coping strategies when times are difficult and adapt these to reduce stress. Check-in with your partner, family members, siblings or elder parents. It can help to share stories about how each other is coping.
Relationships Australia South Australia offers services to help manage relationships during the COVID-19 pandemic. You can find them and many more here.
Find out about our COVID-19 response here.
Sustain your relationship through these trying times by:
- Reflecting on your own needs and boundaries and communicating these clearly to your partner.
- Pay attention to how these changes are affecting your partner, and spend time checking-in with them.
- Practising responding with openness and kindness to your partner, when they reach out for connection.
- Being patient with each other as changes unfold
- Creating time for yourselves if you are staying home or self-isolating together, such as a date night.
- Respecting the need for time alone and/or time for work.
- Being willing to have fun and trying something new together.
- Practicing random acts of kindness – it is the little things that can make a big difference.
- Communicating regularly, online or over the phone, if you are in separate households.
If you or someone you know is experiencing any of the following, seek help early:
- Feeling like you are being pushed to your limits
- Feeling stressed out by other people
- Not feeling as patient as normal
- Feeling down or depressed for an extended period
- Quickly getting angry more often than normal
- Using violence
- Increased use of coercive or controlling behaviours
- Feeling unsafe
Telephone and online supports:
- Call 000 if you or you suspect someone is in danger
- Relationships Australia South Australia: 1300 364 277 or 1800 182 325 (country callers) rasa.org.au
- Beyond Blue: 1300 224 636 beyondblue.org.au
- 1800RESPECT: 1800 737 732 1800respect.org.au
- MensLine Australia: 1300 78 99 78 org.au
- Suicide Call Back Service: 1300 659 467 suicidecallbackservice.org.au
- Open Arms Veteran & Families Counselling: 1800 011 046
- Lifeline Australia: 13 11 14 lifeline.org.au
For people under 25 years of age:
- headspace (for people between 12-25 years of age): 1800 650 890
Here are some useful links you might want to explore:
