- Photo: Courtesy of Gravenhurst Lions Club
“A community is commonly understood to be about relationships; it’s not a place. A neighborhood is a place, but community is about people’s relationships.” – John McKnight 1990
As human beings we’re meant to connect and relate to each other. Having someone to listen when you need to talk – the opportunity to express yourself, and feel supported – naturally contributes to a sense of calm, and helps put people at ease.
There’s a link between feeling supported and the ability to cope with stress effectively. Support can help reduce anxiety, solve problems, deal better with hardship, and have a sense of control over their life circumstances.
According to the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA), “One of the greatest benefits of social support is that it helps people deal with stress. Having someone to talk things out with reduces stress and protects you from the physical damage stress causes such as high blood pressure, ulcers, migraines, anxiety attacks and depression.”
When we feel supported, it enables us to move on more freely and productively. And being a part of a strong community, where we feel a sense of belonging, can do wonders to our well being.
There is a connection between a person’s sense of belonging and self-perceived physical and mental health. “Nearly two-thirds of those who felt a very strong or somewhat strong sense of community belonging reported excellent or very good general health. In contrast, only half of those with a very weak sense of belonging view their general health as favorable as those with a strong sense of community belonging,” according to Statistics Canada.
Many communities realize the importance of providing support services to people for various needs. They provide us with services that range from health support to social activities that encourage social cohesion. Embracing your community can provide you with needed support, and everyone benefits.
Having close relationships makes people feel valued, cared for, increases self-confidence, and helps everyone, according to CMHA. They add, “Social support is a mutual process. In your network, if you receive support from others, they feel needed and worthy because they can be of help. That increases their self-confidence and self-esteem and contributes to positive mental health. The same benefits apply to us, when we are needed by others.”
Community support builds meaningful relationships and resources that contribute to the health of its members.
For those that need support
Look at the kind of services that your community or nearby areas offer, and see if there are any that may be helpful to you. It’s important for your health that you get the support you need, whether it’s professional or just for fun.
For those that want to help
Reach out and get to know your fellow members. Lend a hand to those who may benefit from a little support. Plan events to bring members together or be a volunteer for organizations that need the help.
When people reach out to each other, it builds healthy communities.
“The degree of social cohesion – or civic vitality – in a society is an important determinant of the health of the people who live there,” indicates the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC). They indicate that a supportive society is filled with members who value their communities, are active in its vitality – making it a great place to live – and believe in each other.
Having a strong, supportive network of people you can turn to, whether times are at a minimal stress level or when you feel the walls caving in, is essential. And what better place to embrace, along with friends and family, than the community you live in. MSM
