Mental Health Awareness Week: The power of community

This Mental Health Awareness Week, the theme is community - a timely and important reminder that none of us are meant to do life alone. In a world that often emphasizes independence, success, and self-reliance, it’s easy to forget that we are social beings by nature. Human connection isn’t just “nice-to-have” - it’s a key part of maintaining good mental health.

Community and mental health: What's the connection?

Research consistently shows that feeling connected to others can have a significant positive impact on our mental well-being. People who often experience loneliness have a higher risk of developing mental health issues, such as anxiety and depression. In fact, it has been found that the health risks of long-term isolation are equivalent to smoking 15 cigarettes a day! This kind of loneliness is also associated with increased thoughts of suicide. People who feel supported by their communities tend to experience lower levels of stress, anxiety, and depression. They also report higher levels of life satisfaction and emotional resilience.

Here’s how community plays a role:

• Emotional support: When we’re part of a community, we’re more likely to feel heard, understood, and valued. This kind of emotional support helps us process difficult feelings and feel less alone during hard times.

• Shared identity: Being part of a group, whether it’s based on shared interests, beliefs, or experiences, helps us feel a sense of belonging and purpose.

• Practical help: Community often shows up in concrete ways—someone checking in, offering a lift, sharing a meal. These small acts of care can make a big difference in our day-to-day well-being.

In psychology, we often think about these layers of connection using ecological systems theory, which breaks down the environments that shape us into three key layers:

• Microsystem: our direct relationships: family, friends, colleagues, neighbours.

• Mesosystem: how different parts of our microsystem interact (for example, when your work stress affects your home life.)

• Macrosystem: the broader social and cultural structures around us, such as laws, beliefs, access to healthcare, and societal values.

Friends (microsystems)

Friends are often the first people we turn to when we’re struggling or celebrating. These are the relationships where we tend to feel safe being ourselves. Supportive friendships increase our sense of belonging, help us feel validated, and can significantly reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression.

Ways to connect:

• Reach out regularly, even with a simple “thinking of you.”

• Spend time together in ways that feel meaningful—walks, phone calls, shared meals.

• Open up when you’re struggling. Being honest with each other strengthens trust.

Family (microsystem)

Why it matters: Family can provide a foundational sense of safety, identity, and continuity. Healthy family relationships offer emotional grounding during difficult times and can reinforce a sense of being loved and cared for.

Ways to connect:

• Share everyday moments: checking in, eating together, talking about your day.

• If relationships are tense, consider boundaries that allow connection while protecting your mental space.

• Revisit shared stories or traditions that remind you of your roots and resilience.

Colleagues (microsystem → mesosystem)

Why it matters: We often spend more waking hours with colleagues than with loved ones. Supportive work environments foster a sense of belonging and reduce stress. Positive colleague relationships can buffer against burnout, increase job satisfaction, and help us feel less alone in demanding roles.

Ways to connect:

• Take time for small, genuine conversations, not just about work.

• Offer encouragement or help when someone seems overwhelmed.

• If you're in a leadership position, model openness and empathy; it helps shift the workplace culture as a whole.

Neighbours & acquaintances (microsystem & mesosystem)

Why it matters: Even light or casual social connections play a role in our emotional well-being. Friendly interactions with neighbours, baristas, dog-walkers, or others in your community can lift your mood and remind you that you're part of something bigger than yourself. These “we see each other” moments help reduce feelings of isolation.

Ways to connect:

• Smile or say hello when you see familiar faces, as it can build trust over time.

• Join local events, volunteer days, or groups based on shared interests.

• Offer or ask for help - a recommendation, a favour, or simply a chat with the person next door.

Society and culture (macrosystem)

Why it matters: The larger social systems we live in (our culture, laws, policies, and collective beliefs) affect our mental health in real ways. When we feel accepted, respected, and supported by the broader world, we’re more likely to thrive. When we face systemic barriers or stigma, it can be much harder to access care or feel safe expressing our struggles.

Ways to connect:

• Support initiatives that promote mental health awareness, inclusivity, and access to care.

• Learn about social issues that affect mental health, such as housing, inequality, or stigma.

• Participate in or advocate for community programs, policy change, or mental health education.

The Power of Connection

Mental health is not just something we manage alone; it’s something that’s deeply influenced by the relationships and environments we’re part of. When we nurture connection across all levels, from close relationships to broader community involvement, we create a support system that strengthens not just our well-being, but the well-being of those around us.

You don’t have to connect with everyone, all at once. It’s important to start small, try to be present, and allow others to see and hear you.

-Dr. Kassandra Burd