Finding community and connection can reduce stress levels and improve mental health. 

Group of friends painting and creating art as a community for their wellbeing and to prevent stress

Mental Health Awareness Week is 12 to 18 May 2025, with the theme of community. A link to further information is at the end of the article.

Loneliness can add to stress, and cause physical stress that undermines our health. It can prevent us from finding ways to get through stressful times effectively too. That’s because a sense of community—and having people you can turn to about your problems and worries—reduces stress levels and improves mental health. 

Loneliness is not the same as being alone. You can feel lonely in a relationship, in a family, or surrounded by many people. This is especially true if you don’t feel that the people around you understand or care. And many people are peaceful and content with being alone. They may have one or two people they can turn to, or may be part of a wider community.

'Being part of a safe, positive community is vital for our mental health and wellbeing,' says the Mental Health Foundation. 'We thrive when we have strong connections with other people and supportive communities that remind us, we are not alone. Communities can provide a sense of belonging, safety, support in hard times, and give us a sense purpose.' 

The Stress Management Society explains, ‘A community is more than just a group of people. It’s about having a sense of belonging and connection to others and feeling supported and accepted by them.’  

Avoiding loneliness is easier when you have strong connections who you feel safe opening up to about your thoughts and any problems you may be having—as well as sharing in the good times, of course. They might include family, friends, neighbours, or might be a group you meet up with over a shared interest or hobby.  

Group of friends chatting in the pub for their wellbeing and to cope with stress

The Stress Management Society adds, ‘Having the opportunity to laugh and chat with others in social situations serves to temporarily distract us from our worries by turning our focus outwards instead of inwards.’   

If you don’t feel part of a community yet, there are lots of different ways you can meet new people. Or, why not reach out to an old friend or acquaintance who you’ve not spoken to in years? 

It may feel difficult or daunting to socialise. But keeping connections going, and socialising even a little, or volunteering as part of a group, will help us to feel belonging in our own unique communities—whoever they may be—as well as being part of the wider human community we all belong to.  

Find out more 

Mental Health Awareness Week

Coping with loneliness

Mental health: tips to help you take care of yourself

Managing stress and regaining control

Staying safe in stressful times

How to fight daily stress to stay safe at work

Mental wellbeing: where to get help and how to offer it to others who may be struggling