Relationships Australia is a federation of community-based, not-for-profit organisations with no religious affiliations, which has served people living in Australia for over 70 years. Our services are for all members of the community, regardless of religious belief, age, gender, sexual orientation, lifestyle choice, cultural background or economic circumstances.
Relationships Australia services include individual, family and couples counselling, children’s services, services for victims and perpetrators of family violence, services to people experiencing harms related to gambling and use of alcohol and other drugs, dispute resolution, and relationship and professional education. We aim to support all people to live with positive and respectful relationships and receive the benefits of nurturing relationships and inclusive, welcoming and flourishing communities.
In November 2022, we launched our Relationship Indicators 2022 website and report. This dataset explores the relationship experiences of a nationally representative sample, and highlights the pressures impacting our relationships, together with a range of insights into the state of relationships in Australia in 2022.
Relationship Indicators 2022 confirms practice experience gained throughout our work, with individuals, families and communities across the country, and reveals the multiple links between relationships and suicide prevemtion.
It is well accepted that safe, supportive and respectful relationships serve as a significant protective factor: increasing our sense of belonging and building resilience. The Relationship Indicators data confirms this, revealing that strong and reliable relationships improve well-being, mental health and reduce loneliness.
At the same time, relationship breakdown is understood to be a significant risk factor for suicide. The psychological distress caused by separation and divorce can take a significant toll on families, and can often be associated with intersecting risk factors including domestic and family violence, housing precarity, mental ill-health and reliance on gambling, alcohol and other drugs, and other harmful behaviours.
For these reasons, Relationships Australia acknowledges the need for a suite of evidence-based and trauma-informed services to support families as they transition through difficult times. Our services across the country are committed to supporting all members of the community, and doing so in a way that addresses the range of pressures and issues they may face. Our commitment to holistic, wraparound care ensures that families receive the support they need.
We also believe in the power of the Australian community to create belonging and build supportive, connected neighbourhoods. By doing so, our communities can play a critical role in supporting the health, safety and resilience of their members. Through our Neighbours Every Day campaign, we deliver a suite of resources designed to assist everyone in Australia to create belonging, one relationship at a time.
For more information, head to relationships.org.au
