Having a good friend can make all the difference when you’re in an unhealthy relationship

A good friend is someone that’s there for you. Someone that notices when you start acting differently and supports you if you’re going through a challenging time.  

Thanks to Your Best Friend, Brook has co-produced a series of animations with young people for different age groups about how to support friends in unhealthy relationships.

Our phones allow us to meet new people, start relationships online and talk to friends wherever and whenever. But this can make us feel that we always have to be available.

Chatting to people online can be fun. But they might ask for nudes, or send you unwanted messages or images.

All of this can be really draining and scary, but you are not alone. Start a conversation with your friends, after all, that’s what friends are for- supporting each other through the good and the bad.  

Watch our animation to see how you can support your friends with these online pressures.  

Watch ‘Immediate Online Pressures’ in Welsh

Download transcript in Welsh

It can be hard to recognise and leave an unhealthy relationship. Letting people in and asking for help isn’t always easy. But having the support of friends who check in and listen without judging can make a big difference.  

As their friend it can be hard to know what to say, but the most important thing is that you’re there for them.

Watch our animation about how you can support a friend in an unhealthy relationship

Watch ‘Easier Said Than Done’ in Welsh

Download transcript in Welsh

‘Be cautious, be aware of things that make you uncomfortable. Take breaks, social media is stressful. Do not allow people access to you constantly.’  

(Young person 18-24)  

It feels nice to get likes on social media, to present the best version of your life and omit the bad parts. But when everyone’s doing it, you might find yourself comparing your low points to other people’s highlights.

Social media can be a great place for meeting people online but you might also have people send you unwanted messages or sexual images or ask you to send some.  

This pressure to live up to our own high standards and fend off unwanted attention can impact our mental health. Check in with friends and find ways to support each other.

Watch our animation to see how you can support your friends with these online pressures.  

Watch ‘Immediate Online Pressures’ in Welsh

Download transcript in Welsh

Unhealthy relationships are often easier to spot as an outsider. Maybe your friend has become more reserved, they don’t enjoy the things they used to, or their partner tells them what they can wear or who they can see.

They might make excuses for their partner’s behaviour or keep things from you which can make it difficult for you to know what to do. But, as their friend, the most important thing is that you’re there for them. Listening without judgement or telling them what to do goes a long way.  

Watch our animation to see how you can support your friends with these online pressures.  

Watch ‘Easier Said Than Done’ in Welsh

Download transcript in Welsh

Getting help

I’ve been sent unwanted sexual images

Cyberflashing, receiving nudes without your consent, is a form of sexual harassment.

If this has happened to you, block the sender, speak to someone you trust and seek support. You can also report it to the platform where it happened (dating site, social media etc).

I’m worried about a friend, how can I talk to them?

Your friend might be feeling lots of different emotions: they may feel alone; unable to escape; or maybe they haven’t noticed that they’re in a harmful relationship. 

• Go somewhere comfortable and ask your friend how they are. Use open-ended questions and give them time to talk.  
• Let your friend know that you’ve worried and just want to know if there’s anything wrong.  
• Don’t force them to talk to you but encourage and support them.
• Remind them that they are not alone and you’re there to help and support them to get the help they need. 
• Look after yourself too! It can be difficult if your friend needs more of your time and energy than you have.
• Remember that what you would do in their situation is different to what might help them best
• Work together to figure out the next steps

Download PDF in Welsh

Where can I go for support?