Scenarios: Healthy or Unhealthy?

Sarah & Jake

Sarah has been seeing her boyfriend Jake for a few months and it seems to be going well. She's planned a big night out with friends on Friday and can’t wait as she's not seen much of them since she started dating Jake. On Friday morning, Jake calls and asks Sarah to cancel saying “come and see me instead, we'll have more fun just the two of us!” She agrees and thinks it must show how much he loves her.

Two months later, Sarah and Jake are still going out together. Every time she makes plans with other people, Jake wants her to cancel so they can spend their time alone together. When Sarah doesn’t want to cancel, Jake gets angry and starts a fight. He says if she's as serious about him as he is about her, she would go out with him and not her mates. He huffs until Sarah gives in and stays with him.

Amir & Rajeesh

Amir and Rajeesh have been friends for a long time and often go to parties together. Amir likes to drink... a lot. Rajeesh doesn’t mind one or two beers, but he really doesn’t like to drink any more than that. At parties, Amir pressures Rajeesh to join in, saying ‘it will be good craic’ ‘go on have another drink, I want you to, don’t be such a spoilsport.’ Amir doesn’t like how he is being put under pressure by Rajeesh and feels uncomfortable.

One night Amir decides to tell Rajeesh how he feels and explains that he really doesn’t like drinking and doesn’t want to drink tonight. Rajeesh gets angry with Amir and makes a scene putting him down in front of everyone and calling him names, Rajeesh storms off with others and says ‘find someone else to party with!’

Jacinta & Alex

Jacinta recently got a place on an evening course at the local college. It’s a course she’s been wanting to do for a long time, and she is delighted. However, it is on a Friday evening and that’s the night she usually goes out with her boyfriend Alex. She loves Alex, they have been together for about a year and its feels like it’s pretty serious. She discusses it with Alex and he says “I think you should do it, it will be great for you and you’ve wanted to do this for ages, it won’t be for long and we can meet on another night”

Rachel & David

Rachel and David are going out together. They are in the same class in school although nobody knows they are together because David says it’s better to keep it a secret. He says it’s because ‘’there will be less gossip and pressure’’. When they’re alone together outside of school David is very kind and loving, saying things to Rachel like’ you’re so fantastic’’ and ‘’you’re really good looking’’.

However, when they are in class together, sometimes David puts Rachel down and teases her and encourages others to call her names and make fun of her. He says its just so no one will suspect.

Sandra & Zara

Sandra has been seeing her girlfriend Zara for 6 months. They are always texting and calling one another. Although Sandra really likes Zara, she would also like to spend time with other friends. When they’re apart Zara is constantly texting and if Sandra doesn’t reply or answer straight away Zara will say things like ‘’ if you don’t answer it means you don’t love me” or “if you’re not answering that means you’re away off with someone else not thinking about me”.

Sandra has also noticed Zara is always putting her other friends down, she says they don’t like her, and she doesn’t think they are a good influence. Sandra is confused and unsure what to do, she really likes Zara, but she likes her friends too. It is difficult to choose between them, but she feels she has to?

Mary & Mike

Mary has been chatting to Mike on social media but has never met him in person. He is the same age as her and they seem to have the same interests. Over the time they have been in touch they have chatted and got on well. Mike recently said he would like to meet up because they have so much in common and maybe they are meant to be together. However, because they live so far away this won’t be possible for a while. Mike asks Mary to send a “sexy” photo just for him until they can meet up.

Amy & John

Amy and John have been going out for 2 months. John has started turning up at Mary’s workplace regularly saying he “missed her and just needed to see her”. At the start Amy was flattered but her work colleagues have said they think it’s a bit strange and they also seem to be shocked at some of the other things John says and does, like checking her phone all the time and not allowing her to go to certain places or wear certain things.

Amy always just thought it was because he loved her, but Amy’s work colleagues have told her they are worried about her and that they see a change in her since they started dating. John recently turned up at Mary’s work Christmas party. Amy was speaking to Chris, a work colleague. John was furious and told her it was time to go home. He grabbed her by the wrist. Amy was scared he would make a scene, so she left. John refused to speak to her the whole way home. maybe things will change.

Teresa & Ricky

Teresa always loved to dress up to go out! She loves the process of getting ready, putting on her make up and wearing nice clothes...until she met Ricky that is. Ricky says he likes the natural look, and she doesn’t need make up to look great. Teresa thinks this is nice, someone who loves her just the way she is!

Kirsty & Kane

Kirsty’s childhood friend Emma has returned from university for the weekend and wants to meet up. Kirsty is so excited as she hasn’t seen Emma in so long and there is so much to catch up on! The only thing is, Kirsty has made arrangements to meet her boyfriend Kane this weekend. Kirsty is afraid to even mention it to him as she knows he’ll get very angry at her for wanting to spend time with someone else. Kirsty just says no to Emma avoid any trouble. It’s a shame as she’d love to see her, but she knows she’ll have a good night with Kane anyway, she’ll catch up with Emma next time she is home.

John & Aaron

John wants to split up with Aaron, he hasn’t been happy in their relationship for some time as Aaron has a bad temper and while he has never physically hurt John, it has come close and sometimes John feels really scared. John feels more and more uncomfortable in Aaron’s presence. John tries to discuss his feelings with Aaron, but Aaron breaks down and cries and says he has never loved anyone like John and if John leaves him his life won’t be worth living. John agrees to give it another go, maybe things will change.