1. Healthy Relationship Plus Program Fourth R Parent Information
April Welshman
Community Educator
Sexual Assault Response Committee

2. WHAT IS SHIFT: PROJECT TO END DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
In April 2012, Shift entered into a partnerships with Centre for addiction and mental health, government of Alberta Ministry of Human Services, United Way of Calgary, family & community support services to create a strategy aimed at cultivating Healthy Relationships skills in young people throughout Alberta.
School level intervention with a focus on implementing the Fourth R (relationship) designed to included students, teachers, parents and community in reducing violence and risk behaviors.

3. What is the Fourth R
A relationship- based approach to prevent adolescent violence and related risk behaviors
- Peer and dating violence
- Substance use & abuse
- Healthy growth and Sexuality
Evidence Based curriculum
School based comprehensive prevention approach

4. Healthy Relationship Plus Program
1 hour
15 sessions
Talks about dating violence, healthy relationships, substance use and mental health issues

5. Is dating abuse really an issue for teens?
26% of girls and 28% of boys have already been victims of physical abuse.
Female are more likely than males to experience severe physical abuse.
Psychological abuse is even more common in both genders.
Sexual abuse is more common among girls
Dating abuse is beginning as early as 6th grade.

6. Why is dating abuse such a prevalent issue with teens?
Many see abuse as normal part of the relationship.
Romanticizing about love, teens may interpret jealousy, possessiveness, and abuse as signs of love.

7. Why is dating abuse prevalent issue with teens?
Teens may experience a lot of pressure to be in a dating relationship
A teen may remain in a abusive relationship just to have someone to date.

8. Why is dating abuse such a prevalent issue with teens?
Teens communication skills are less develop than those of adults.
Gender stereotyping which has been associated with dating abuse.

9. Implementing the program
Conduct on a weekly basis
Male and females together
Each session is 60 minutes
Program be conducted in full, without eliminating content
Explore the positive definition of healthy relationships –win/win solutions-
Behavior is a choice- responsibility for our own behaviors

10. Sessions Session 1: Getting to know you
Session 2: Its you choice: friendships/ relationships
Session 3: Shaping your values
Session 4: Influences on Relationships
Session 5: Impact of Substance Use and Abuse
Session 6: Healthy Relationships
Session 7: Early warning signs of dating violence
Session 8: Knowing your values and boundaries
Session 9: Communication Skills
Session 10:Taking Responsibilities for Emotions

11. Sessions Cont… Session 11: Standing up for what is right
Session 12: When friendships and relationships end
Session 13: Emotional Health and well being
Session 14: Helping our friends
Session 15: Sharing and Celebrating

12. Activity Time
What does it look like when people are in a healthy Relationships?
What does it look like when people are in a unhealthy relationship?

13. Harmful consequences of dating abuse
Lose confidence in oneself
Become afraid to express feelings of anger
Suffer serious injury, even death,
Begin to doubt their own abilities, feelings and decision making ability
Feel isolation from family and friends
Feel shame and guilt
Feel lonely
Get a STI
Experience unwanted pregnancy

14. Harmful consequences of dating abuse
Abandon dreams and goals
Become depressed, anxious, fearful, or suicidal
Begin having problems at work, school, and other activities
Experience damage to personal property
Face inability to maintain long lasting or fulfilling relationships

15. Relationships and Mental Health – What's the connection?-
Healthy relationships can contribute t a person’s mental well being
People who feels meaningfully connected and who has healthy relationships in their life is in much better position to access help when needed.
Unhealthy relationships can contribute to mental health issues and challenges.
A persons mental health can affect how they interact with the people in their lives: Parents, peers, partners, teachers, co-workers, etc

16. What we are trying to do
Promote discussion about mental health challenges in a safe and accepting environment
Get youth to think about how they manage their stress level and well being

17. What we are trying to do
Get youth to think about how their relationships contribute to their emotional well being
Give them information about how they might help themselves or a friend who is struggling

18. What you need to know This is a research project
- Consent forms need to be filled out for each teen
- Pre and Post Test for youth
- Tracking forms for facilitator
- Satisfactory surveys

19. How to talk to your teen about the program
Explain to them what you know about the program
Let your teen know that the program isn't all about abusive behaviors and Mental health issues. It also includes fun activities related to dating and mental health in general
It can help keep them safe
Give you the skills to help friends who are involved in Unhealthy relationships
If your teen is not dating, let them know that this program is great preparation for it

20. Questions
April Welshman Community Educator Sexual Assault Response Committee (403)