The Connection Between Community and Mental Health

Chelle Peterson

Community has always been important. 

Spending time with family, socializing with friends, or collaborating with colleagues is an integral part of the human experience. 

But since the pandemic forced people apart for a time, the realization of just how important community is came into focus. And since many employees are still working remotely, reducing their exposure to the community and other people, it’s more important than ever. 

Here we’ll look at why community is so important for mental health, and what you can do to foster it in the workplace.

Revealing Statistics on Community and Mental Health 

Most of us know there’s a link between community and mental health on an intuitive level. But research shows the link clearly. 

Consider these findings: 

  • Adults who are more socially connected are both healthier and live longer than those who are not (study). 
  • Elderly individuals who were isolated due to the pandemic increased their risk of depression and anxiety (study). 
  • Children are likely to report higher happiness levels when they live in homes where they have strong relationships with their siblings and parents and report having fun together (study). 
  • Employees who reported less social interaction at work because of the pandemic are associated with decreased mental health (study). 

Research compiled by the Mental Health Foundation also demonstrates that specific relationships such as a stable marriage and neighborhood connections both impact overall wellbeing and quality of life. 

This research shows that community and human connection are important for mental health and well-being at all stages of life. It further demonstrates the impact that all relationships can have on mental health, including those at work. 

How the Workplace Builds Community

Research shows that community and connection are important for mental health. These are relationships that can be fostered in your home life, socially, or at work. 

There are four ways a work community positively impacts mental health. Work can: 

1. Foster a sense of belonging

Belonging is a human need. It’s so important that Abraham Maslow identified it as part of the “social needs” tier in his hierarchy of needs framework. Belonging is the sense that you’re part of something and can show up as your true self. 

The workplace can foster a sense of belonging by:

  • Promoting and valuing diverse perspectives, backgrounds, and cultures
  • Allowing space to share ideas without fear of being shut down
  • Affirming unique identities, skills, and abilities

2. Develop a collective purpose

The best-performing teams and companies are those who are there for more than just a paycheque. They’re the ones who have rallied around a common purpose and goal. Within a workplace community, purpose is having a place where you’re uniquely positioned to bring skills or expertise. 

The workplace can develop a collective purpose by: 

  • Clearly communicating company vision, purpose, and goals 
  • Aligning actions between stated goals and actions
  • Prioritizing social justice and other meaningful initiatives that connect with employees’ personal values

3. Create a supportive environment for growth

Self-actualization is the top-tier need a person has, as identified by Maslow. Part of this is the ability to be self-aware and concerned with personal growth, which are both important aspects of mental health. 

The workplace can encourage growth by:

  • Investing in professional development opportunities, whether formal courses or casual lunch-and-learns
  • Encouraging independent thought and increasing employee autonomy over their work
  • Personalizing career development plans

4. Facilitate weak-tie and casual relationships

Most people don’t work with their closest friends. Instead, many work connections are acquaintances or weak-tie relationships—people you connect with on a regular basis that aren’t close friends and family. 

And despite these weak ties are actually more important in your life than you may think. They foster fun, casual connections and offer an outlet for much of your day-to-day thoughts and feelings. The pandemic virtually erased weak tie relationships for a time, which caused strain on many people’s close interpersonal relationships. 

The workplace can foster important weak-tie relationships by:

  • Creating opportunities for casual connection and “cooler talk” (one of the top coworking community benefits for solopreneurs or satellite teams!) 
  • Utilizing a flex space for team bonding activities or events
  • Increasing fun and levity throughout daily tasks and responsibilities
  • Prioritizing connection through intentional in-person meetings and conversations

In-Person vs. Online: What’s Best for Community? 

Considering the popularity of remote work today, you might be wondering: Is this compatible with remote work? Do we need to work in person to develop community? 

There’s no right or wrong, as each company and team will need to determine what works best for them. 

But it’s because of these very questions that many companies are choosing hybrid work schedules for their teams—they recognize the importance of in-person interaction to foster a sense of community. 

If you do have a fully remote team, consider these ways to boost community:

  • Gather periodically: This could be for quarterly meetings, an annual retreat, or semi-regular training and team updates. Use flexible, on-demand meeting space to occasionally meet in person with your team. 
  • Be social: Try to schedule casual social opportunities for your team. Here’s a list of our top lunch restaurants in Tucson for some inspiration for your next gathering! 
  • Increase human touchpoints: This doesn’t just mean picking up the phone or getting on Zoom instead of email, but also making an intentional effort to connect on a personal level.
  • Get techy. Some companies are already using innovative metaverse technology like VR (virtual reality) to set up online “spaces” for connection and interaction through virtual meeting rooms, lunchtime hangouts, and water-cooler chat.

And if you’re a solopreneur, freelancer, or remote worker, consider joining a coworking space to boost your interactions through the day. There are benefits of a drop-in coworking space for just a few days a week, too. Support your overall mental health by tapping into a supportive, like-minded community. 

There are so many ways to build community and positive human interaction in the workplace. Being intentional about this will foster overall mental health and contribute to employee wellbeing. 

If you want to join a supportive community of like-minded professionals, we invite you to book a tour of The Post.