How community benefits your mental health

Being part of a community has powerful benefits for our mental health and overall wellbeing. Here’s how: 

1. Social connections can reduce isolation 

Loneliness, especially long-term loneliness, increases the risk of mental health challenges like anxiety, depression and stress. Feeling socially isolated may also reduce our resilience to stress, meaning we find it more difficult to cope in stressful situations.² 

On the flip side, regular social interactions can help us feel less isolated and protect our mental health, reducing our risk of anxiety and depression.^3,4  

2. Community builds a sense of belonging 

We’re social creatures. The need to belong links back to our natural survival instincts, as living in groups gave us more protection from predators.^5,6 

Having strong connections to our community helps us feel like we belong, which can improve our mood. Feeling like we belong also reduces our heart rate and activates the brain regions that calm us down in stressful moments, making us feel less stressed.^7,8  

Finding belonging through communities is particularly important for minoritised and marginalised groups, who may experience exclusion from other parts of society.¹  

3. Sense of purpose through community involvement 

Being part of a community also gives us a sense of purpose. Taking part in community activities, like volunteering, boosts our self-esteem, confidence and overall wellbeing. 

Community support can be particularly helpful during times of crisis, like the COVID-19 pandemic, as it helps us feel more united. Plus, it reduces our risk of anxiety and depression.^9-11 

4. Community can reduce symptoms of mental health issues 

People with strong social networks tend to experience less stress and fewer mental health struggles.² There may be two main reasons for this: 

1. Community support helps people with mental health difficulties manage their symptoms and feel less alone.^12,13
2. Having a strong community helps to protect us against mental health issues. So, people with strong social networks may be less likely to experience mental ill-health.^13,14   

So far, scientific studies looking into the benefits of communities mostly concentrate on anxiety, depression, paranoia and stress. More research is needed to understand how community influences all mental health difficulties.  

5. Life feels more satisfying when you’re part of a community 

When we have strong connections to the people around us, we tend to feel more satisfied with our lives and happier overall.¹ This is particularly true for parents, as strong support networks can make them feel more satisfied in their parenting role. They also tend to have more faith in their parenting abilities when they’re socially supported.¹⁷  

6. Community can ease psychological distress 

Having a strong community can help when we’re going through a difficult time, especially during periods when stressful events happen unexpectedly.¹⁴ For example, communities can help protect minority groups from the emotional harm caused by marginalisation or discrimination.¹⁵ 

7. Higher risk groups are healthier and happier when part of a community 

Strong community ties can help those at higher risk of poor mental health feel healthier and happier. For example, in-person or online communities can help people with long-term health conditions feel less lonely.¹⁶  

Similarly, parents, especially single parents or those on low incomes, benefit from strong social networks. Being part of a community can improve their confidence, reduce their stress, and prevent mental health issues during and shortly after pregnancy.^12,17,18  

For teenagers and young adults, social connections can reduce isolation and help them feel more confident.¹⁹ As for adults, community benefits both men and women. However, women are more likely to experience anxiety when they feel disconnected. They may struggle with feelings of not belonging, which can affect their mental health.²⁰  

It can be tough figuring out how to get involved in your community. So, here are ten simple tips on how to build social connections and feel more part of your community.  

But before searching for online communities, it’s important to know that not all online communities are good for your mental health. A healthy community should make you feel safe, valued and connected, not drained and anxious. Be mindful of spaces that promote hate, unrealistic beauty standards or harmful behaviours. It can help to ask yourself:

• Does this community align with my values?
• Does it support my wellbeing?

If not, it’s okay to leave, block or mute the community.  

Learn more about how to engage with online communities safely in our new resource, co-created with young people.