This year the theme for mental health awareness week is “community” and the positive impact that it can have on our mental health and overall wellbeing.

The power of community is incredibly important and as social beings, we have a fundamental need to connect with each other and feel like we belong. Communities provide this sense of belonging and help us to feel accepted, valued, and part of something that is greater than ourselves. This connection also helps with feelings of loneliness and isolation, which can significantly harm our mental and physical health.

Communities offer an essential network of emotional support, and it can be so reassuring to know that people care and are willing to be there for us and this support network can help to reduce stress, anxiety and depression.

When we are part of a community, we have an opportunity to contribute, help others, and work towards shared goals. This in turn can boost our self-esteem and confidence because we feel useful and appreciated.

Engaging with a community also provides us with a sense of purpose and meaning. This could involve volunteering, working on a community project, or simply participating in group activities. Actively and positively contributing to our community can be a deeply fulfilling experience.

Research also indicates that strong social connections and community involvement can positively impact our physical health. Studies have shown links between social support and lower blood pressure, a stronger immune system, and even increased longevity.

My mum who is in her nineties has recently moved into a retirement complex with a fantastic community spirit and is a wonderful testament to this!

Communities are an excellent way to keep learning as they bring people together from different backgrounds with diverse experiences, skills and perspectives. This provides us with an excellent opportunity to learn new things, develop new skills, and keep growing.

Being part of a community can also boost our resilience because support and encouragement helps us to recover better from setbacks and life’s various challenges.

In essence, the power of community provides us with our fundamental human need for connection, support and purpose. These elements are essential ingredients for our overall wellbeing.

So how can we contribute to building positive communities?

Here are my top five tips:

1. Listen and empathise

My dad always used to say that the greatest gift we can give to anyone is our time and this is so true for the people within our community. Listening and empathising with each other’s experiences and challenges creates a supportive and understanding community. Loneliness is a modern-day epidemic and an attentive ear, and a few kind words can make all the difference in the world. When we feel heard and understood, it can significantly contribute to our emotional wellbeing. We all appreciate a good listening to from time to time.

2. Form a group

Nineteen years ago, when I first moved to Cheltenham, which is where I live now, I set up a writing group. Fiction writing has always been a passion of mine and I really wanted to connect with people who shared this passion too. I put up a note in a coffee shop that had a room where I could host the group and on the first night 18 people turned up! The group is still going strong (we are planning our 20^th birthday party next year) and some great friendships have been formed. We have also shared many life-affirming experiences and some wonderful creative opportunities.

Creating formal or informal groups where people with shared experiences can connect and offer each other emotional, informational and practical support. Knowing we are not alone and having a safe space to share can significantly boost our wellbeing.

3. Organise some social opportunities

Creating consistent opportunities for people to get together socially is relatively easy to arrange. This could be a weekly coffee morning, monthly game nights or seasonal community gatherings. These regular interactions combat loneliness and encourage a sense of belonging and focus.

4. Create opportunities for skill-sharing and mutual aid

Building a community where people can share their skills and resources with each other strengthens interdependence and reduces individual burdens. This could involve setting up a tool-lending library, organising workshops led by community members, or establishing a system for neighbours to help each other with tasks. Our local park is a wonderful example of this and adds so much value to our community.

5. Champion community wellbeing initiatives

Launching activities specifically focused on promoting wellbeing can be a very positive and healthy way to support our community. These could include yoga sessions, running groups, walking groups, mindfulness workshops, cooking groups, knit and natter, crafting, community gardening projects, singles mingles and bereavement groups. These initiatives directly address different aspects of wellbeing within the community context.

In summary

How will you celebrate the power of community this Mental Health Awareness Week?

Explore ways that you can get involved below via this link: Mental Health Awareness week

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