Humans are inherently social animals, and social connection is vital to our survival. When things go wrong with people we love, our world can feel upside-down. Healthy communication is the key to happy and healthy relationships.
What does healthy communication look like?
Healthy communication is based around respect and clear communication: respect for yourself and other people. It is important to be honest and respectful about what you are trying to say and to think before you say it.
We all have different communication styles depending on who we are communicating with. For example, we would not communicate with a coworker in the same way we might communicate with a child or our spouse or partner.
The way we communicate depends on the type of relationship as well as our goals and needs. No matter the conversation or its participants, the most important aspect is respect, without which communication can quickly become unhelpful.
When having a difficult conversation with someone you care about, try to remain non-judgmental and not to place blame on the other person as this can lead to defensiveness and may aggravate the situation.
Healthy communication in a romantic relationship involves some added steps, including the ability to be curious about your partner and actively listening to them without interruption or judgement. Couples who communicate effectively are more likely to understand and respect each other’s needs and boundaries.
Veterans and communication
Veterans may struggle with healthy communication practices as a result of the unique nature of their military experience. Effective communication may be impacted by a range of psychological health conditions, including PTSD, depression, anxiety, insomnia, isolation, or difficulties with memory. Living with pain and physical concerns can also interfere with maintaining healthy communication.
Building healthy communication techniques
Like all good things, healthy communication takes effort and commitment.
The first step is recognising where improvements may be required. Practicing active listening, asking for feedback, and being open to receiving it can be helpful for the development of effective communication.
It is also important to avoid making assumptions and to communicate clearly and respectfully as well as being clear and consistent in your interactions with others. These techniques all assist in effectively building trust, which is the foundation of any healthy relationship.
Support at Mates4Mates
Mates4Mates offers veterans and family members access to psychologists, counsellors, and social workers who can work with you toward improving your communication in your meaningful relationships at home, at work, and in the community.
Mates4Mates also runs its Healthy Relationships Program, designed by our clinical team to help veterans and family members better understand the difference between healthy and unhealthy interpersonal relationships.
The program is delivered separately to groups of women and men over four weeks and participants have the opportunity to gain a greater understanding of relationship styles, the difference between healthy and unhealthy relationships as well as learn tips and strategies to assist in developing healthy interpersonal relationships.
To find out more, reach out to Mates4Mates on 1300 4 MATES (62 837) for a confidential chat.
Written by Simone Johns, Mates4Mates Social Worker
Humans are inherently social animals, and social connection is vital to our survival. When things go wrong with people we love, our world can feel upside-down. Healthy communication is the key to happy and healthy relationships.
