Power in community

 

Having a strong community at home, school, or work is vital to our mental health and wellbeing. Multiple studies have shown that nurturing meaningful relationships and feeling a sense of connection goes beyond the benefits of mutual support; it has real physiological effects on our physical and psychological health and resilience, perhaps even strengthening our immune system and increasing longevity.

What do we mean by community?

In the broadest sense, when we are part of a community, we feel like we are a part of something bigger than ourselves and share positive connections with others who share similar ideas and values – also known as social cohesion. This means that, just as we might feel lonely in a crowd of people we know, it’s possible to feel a sense of community even among a group of strangers who share an idea or identity. It’s this sense of positive connection — this mutual trust and respect — that forms the basis of community and the benefits it creates for our physical and mental wellbeing.

There is power in community. It offers us the support we need to navigate life’s challenges and reminds us we are not alone in our struggles. It provides us with a sense of security and safety, helping us to appreciate differences in each other. Communities provide natural opportunities for giving and receiving help, which boosts self-esteem and creates positive feedback loops of social support. The act of helping others within the community can be particularly beneficial for mental health. It’s especially important in these difficult times, when the high cost-of-living is hitting families across the UK, stress and burnout are widespread, and millions of children and young people are seeking mental health support. Our sense of connection is more important than ever.

Why is community important to mental health and wellbeing?

Having a strong sense of community is important for general mental and physical wellbeing, but it’s especially important for people who experience bullying, trauma or loss, or feel isolated or marginalised. Depending on the community, members can benefit from mutual support, advice, and practical help. They help us feel less alone, reducing stress and isolation. In fact, one study found that at a national level, having someone to rely on in tough times is the second biggest explainer of wellbeing between high and low wellbeing countries. People who feel more connected to others also have lower rates of depression and anxiety, higher self-esteem, and greater empathy towards others.

The benefits extend beyond mental health. Research shows that people who are part of strong communities have lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels and may lead to 50% increased chance of longevity. Research has even demonstrated that community directly benefits immune function and inflammation, helping us recover from disease faster.

These factors show that having a strong sense of social connection through being part of a community is essential for maintaining our physical and mental wellbeing.

The risks of loneliness for physical and mental health

While having a strong community and a strong sense of social cohesion results in clear benefits for mental and physical health, the opposite is true for loneliness. While loneliness is common, and most people will feel lonely at some point, feeling lonely most or all of the time can have a serious impact on our wellbeing. The Office for National Statistics found that 1 in 13 adults in Great Britain reported feeling lonely often or always. Beyond simply feeling like you have nobody to talk to or no support in place through life’s hardships, loneliness can have a direct impact on our health. One study even found that a lack of social cohesion or social connection — i.e., a lack of community — is a greater detriment to health than smoking and high blood pressure.

Loneliness isn’t the same as social isolation. Just as you can feel connected to others even among strangers who share your beliefs, and you can be content in solitude, you can feel lonely in a room full of people whom you know.

This is especially true for young people. Research has found that, while we assume elderly people to be the most lonely demographic, young people are often the most lonely. This may be due to several factors, including social isolation due to leading digital lives on social media (and the comparison with others’ lives on social media), the cost-of-living crisis affecting the ability to live independent lives. Research also shows that the pandemic had a profound effect on young peoples’ mental health, particularly social anxiety. However, the causes of loneliness are not one-size-fits-all. While digital lives may contribute to loneliness for some, young people who experience social anxiety are described as feeling more confident and comfortable in online interactions.

This means that loneliness is a complex issue, and avoiding uncomfortable social situations in “real life” may only have short-term benefits. But there are many ways to combat loneliness through building meaningful relationships with others and participating in nurturing communities.

Practical ways to cultivate positive connections and a sense of community

We have demonstrated the importance of cultivating community and combatting loneliness. It’s important to recognise that these solutions may not apply to everybody, and that, while in-person communities appear to have a benefit over digital communities generally, mental and physical health conditions may be a barrier, impacting your ability to engage with in-person groups. For example, you may have a physical disability, chronic pain, or experience a mental health condition such as agoraphobia or anxiety.

Whether forming your own community or finding one suited to your needs, the following list has been created to prompt your own consideration and ideas for ways you can find and cultivate communities in your life.

• Join a club or organisation with people who share your identity or values

Whether that’s a local group for marginalised communities or a group dedicated to an idea you care about, this can be an excellent way of meeting others and fostering a sense of purpose and belonging, which is fundamental to psychological wellbeing. This might be a church or spiritual community, an activist group, or a discussion group.

• Support groups

Support groups are often led by mental health or other professionals and cover a wide range of conditions, including mental and physical health struggles. They also include groups such as 12-step groups for addiction, such as alcoholism, drug use, and gambling addiction. Support groups are especially helpful during difficult times, and having that mutual support can not only bring lasting benefits to your own experience, but help foster deeper connections with others. You can find support groups in your area by searching the Hub of Hope directory.

• Volunteering

Giving back to the community is a wonderful way to improve our wellbeing, especially if it’s volunteering to a cause you care about deeply. You might volunteer at a homeless or animal shelter, help to clean up the local environment, or simply spreading the word about an issue that affects your community. There are many resources for finding volunteering opportunities. For example, Doit features volunteer opportunities from charities across the United Kingdom; you can search the GOV.UK directory for volunteer opportunities; and Get Volunteering features a directory of volunteering opportunities based on area of interest or based on your skills.

• Get to know your neighbours

Especially prevalent since the COVID-19 pandemic, there might already be groups dedicated to your local community, such as supporting elderly or vulnerable people living close to you. These can easily be found via your local library, or simply by talking to others in your neighbourhood. While we may not be as close to our neighbours as we used to be in times gone by, striking up a conversation with your neighbours, or offering your help if they might need it, can go a long way to fostering a sense of community right on your doorstep.

• Online groups

While we have made a case for digitally led lives contributing to loneliness, it is also true that the internet can be an excellent bridge towards (and not a substitute for) connection with others. You might find volunteering opportunities supporting a digital project, support and discussion groups, or organisations sharing your values. While it’s important that we still cultivate an in-person community, digital groups can offer a lot of good — especially when you may be restricted due to a health condition.

• Activity groups

Activity groups have also seen a resurgence since the COVID-19 pandemic. Book clubs, knitting, board game evenings, craft groups, walking and running groups, yoga classes, and more can easily be found via a simple search on Google, on social media, or by checking your local council’s website. This is a great way of meeting others with similar interests and getting involved with a community.

• Connect or reconnect with friends and loved ones

It’s easy to find the pressures of living getting in the way of connecting with others, and it’s not uncommon to go for weeks, months, or even years without rekindling the connections we’ve already made. Perhaps there is somebody you used to meet regularly but haven’t seen in a while. It might feel awkward at first, but it’s worth reaching out to that person, letting them know you’re thinking of them, and asking if they’d like to meet up. It’s tough to put ourselves out there (especially if we already struggle with anxiety or fear rejection), but it’s important to continue to cultivate the connections we’ve already made. When you do meet up with someone, focus your attention entirely on them. Ask them how they are, put the phone away, and reconnect.

However you choose to find community in your life, it can be a profound way of promoting positive mental health, structure and routine, which are essential for maintaining good mental health. The very act of coming together with others and sharing our experiences or troubles, or working towards a shared goal, generates positive emotions and sustains our mental health during difficult times. Human beings are social creatures, so community is incredibly important for our overall sense of wellbeing and happiness.