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Life's challenges can affect our relationships, as difficult emotions build up sometimes and we get irritable, snappy or withdrawn.

If you are facing a challenging time, being open and honest can help you and everyone around you feel supported.

If you know someone who is going through a tough time, it can be hard or upsetting for you too – so it's important for you to support them in ways that also protect your mental wellbeing.

Here are 3 little things you can do to make sure you're taking care of yourself in your relationships.

Set boundaries

Think about what you feel able to help with. Try to stick with this – whether it's listening or offering practical help like doing the shopping.

Take time for ​​yourself

Find time to do something just for yourself. Try to focus on your own hobbies and interests.

Talk to someone you trust

Finding someone outside the relationship that you trust enough to confide in can really help.

NHS.uk

Disagreements are normal, but it can affect your mental wellbeing if an argument is not resolved.

If it's difficult to talk through an issue calmly, take time out and talk again when everyone involved is feeling calmer.

Questions to help manage conflict

Sometimes​, ​we ​have strong feelings about something, ​think we know what someone else thinks, or let our past ​​affect what is happening in the present​. It can help to take a step back and ask yourself the following questions:

• What meaning have I given this situation?
• Is there a difference between the facts and my opinion of this situation?
• What advice would I give to somebody else in this position?
• Is there another way to look at the argument? ​

Working through these questions with those involved might help everyone to understand each other better and explore ways to say or do things differently.

NHS.uk

It's​ ​OK to leave a relationship that does not feel right, or is having a negative impact on your​ mental health and wellbeing.

There are organisations that offer advice and support on dealing with the practical and financial issues of a break-up or separation, such as Citizen's Advice Bureau, if you need it..

If you are experiencing any kind of abuse in a relationship, there is support if you need help.

NHS: Getting help for domestic violence and abuse

NHS.uk

Divorce and separation can be hard on families and if there are children involved, they can find themselves in the middle. It is a time when children need all the support they can get and when parents need to know their rights and the legal requirements for divorce/separation.

There are certain things you can do to make it easier for your children to cope with their parents divorcing or separating:

• To remind a child or children that both of their parents love them
• To always be honest when talking about the break-up and to always take into consideration a child or children’s age and therefore their understanding of the situation and what is going on around them
• To avoid blaming anyone for the separation or divorce, something that often happens which can be very confusing for children
• To keep to routines which includes making sure mealtimes and going to school are not disrupted
• To let children, know that you are always there for them to talk and that it is perfectly okay for them to have feelings of anger, sad or confused
• To listen to your child or children more that speaking to them and to answer any questions so that they know they can trust and rely on you. This in turn will help them open up to you when they feel they need to.

Many people find that Mediation is quicker, less stressful and less expensive than going to court, and in most cases the court will expect you to consider Mediation seriously before going to court.  A Mediator helps you and your ex-partner, without being on anyone’s ‘side’.

Mediation is free for people who qualify for Legal aid.  You can see if you qualify here. You can also search for Mediators that offer online services on the Family Mediation Council website. https://www.familymediationcouncil.org.uk/find-local-mediator/

Safeguarding children

The safety and welfare of children - or safeguarding - is everyone's business. You could be a neighbour, friend, parent, relative, childminder, teacher or doctor - or working for any organisation which has contact with children and young people.

Safeguarding means protecting children from physical, emotional, sexual abuse and neglect. It also means helping children to grow up into confident, healthy and happy adults.

Most children generally enjoy a happy childhood experiences within their own family. Unfortunately for some, this is not the case. During difficult family times, everyone who knows the child must do the best they can to keep them safe and protect them from future harm.

If you would like more information on how to manage safeguarding concerns as a parent or carer, please visit Liverpool Safeguarding Children Partnership

Report a child at risk

If you are a member of the public and have a concern about a child please contact Careline on 0151 233 3700 or Merseyside Police on 0151 709 6010 or 999 in an emergency.

You should report your concerns if you feel that:

• A child needs protection – if a child is suffering harm, neglect or abuse, we can investigate and act to protect them.
• A family is under stress – we can offer support and advice and help families access support from other services.
• A child is seriously ill or disabled – we can arrange an assessment of the child’s and families needs and provide support.

Safeguarding adults

Liverpool Safeguarding Adults Board aims to ensure all adults in the city live healthy, happy, fulfilling lives safe from abuse and neglect.

Working alongside local communities and partner organisations, LSAB aim to promote the health and wellbeing of our residents so they can live healthy, happy, fulfilling lives, have choice and control, safe from abuse and neglect.

The Care Act (2014) requires each local authority to set up a Safeguarding Adults Board. The main objective of the Board is to assure itself that local safeguarding arrangements and partners act to help and protect adults in its area who:

• have needs for care and support
• are experiencing, or at risk of, abuse or neglect
• as a result of those care and support needs, are unable to protect themselves from either the risk of, or the experience of, abuse or neglect

Each Safeguarding Adults Board has three core duties. It must:

• publish a strategic plan for each financial year
• publish an annual report
• conduct Safeguarding Adults Reviews

Report an adult at risk

If you need to report an urgent safeguarding concern and believe that an individual is at serious risk of harm which will require a response within 48 hours, please call Careline on 0151 233 3800.

Liverpool Children’s Centres and the Early Help Service can offer advice and support to you to enable you to make positive changes for you and your family.
Further information please contact our healthy relationships co-ordinator healthyrelationship@liverpool.gov.uk