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Healthy Relationships and HIV/STI Awareness

Healthy relationships are the foundation of well-being and personal growth. Resources are available to help you navigate relationships and stay informed about HIV/STI prevention. Understanding your health and respecting boundaries are crucial steps toward building strong, safe and fulfilling connections.

What is a Healthy Relationship?

A healthy relationship is built on mutual respect, trust, communication and equality. Partners support each other's goals, maintain open communication and respect personal boundaries. Here are some key elements of a healthy relationship:

  • Respect: Valuing each other’s opinions and boundaries.
  • Trust: Feeling secure without constant monitoring or doubt.
  • Equality: Sharing decision-making and responsibilities equally.
  • Communication: Openly discussing feelings, needs and concerns.
  • Support: Encouraging one another in personal and shared goals.

Tips for Building a Healthy Relationship

  1. Build trust together: Share your feelings honestly and listen without judgment when your partner speaks. Make time for meaningful conversations.
  2. Maintain independence: Keep your own hobbies, friends, and interests while supporting each other's goals and growth.
  3. Set clear boundaries: Be direct about your needs around time, privacy and personal space. Respect when your partner needs time alone.
  4. Show appreciation: Express gratitude for both big and small things your partner does. Regular acts of kindness strengthen your connection.
  5. Handle conflicts respectfully: Stay calm during disagreements, avoid blame and work together on solutions rather than trying to "win" arguments.

Protecting Your Health: HIV/STI Awareness

HIV and STIs can affect anyone, regardless of age, gender or sexual orientation. Preventing the spread of infections and maintaining sexual health are essential parts of a healthy relationship. Here's what you should know:

  1. Get tested: Regular testing is key to early detection and treatment.
  2. Practice safe sex: Use condoms or other barriers to reduce the risk of transmission. 
  3. Educate yourself: Learn how STIs are transmitted and their symptoms. Awareness empowers you to make informed decisions.
  4. Communicate openly: Discuss sexual health and testing history with your partner honestly.
  5. Access prevention tools: Ask about PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis), a medication that helps prevent HIV.

Remember, getting tested and having open conversations about health shows care for yourself and your partner.

Resources for Relationship and Health Support

Additional Resources

Counseling
Services are available at no cost to currently enrolled STLCC students.

Student Advocacy and Resource Center
Assisting students in meeting their basic needs and navigating barriers that may interfere with achieving their educational goals.

Prevention Education
Each month, we raise awareness on a topic and provide events, workshops and further resources. 

Disability Resources
Discover all our access services.

Title IX
Title IX ensures a safe and inclusive campus by addressing discrimination and harassment, helping every student feel respected.

Public Service Programs
Do you want to make a difference in the world and help people? Become a force for good and make a real impact on society with one of STLCC's public service programs.

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