Building community resilience must be at the heart of policy-making for post-pandemic recovery, say mental health charities.
New research from the Co-op, in partnership with Mind, Inspire and the Scottish Association for Mental Health (SAMH), has highlighted the vital role that community plays in promoting positive mental health.
The research, which is a combination of a survey of 4,500 people about their mental health and in-depth qualitative conversations, reveals not only the significant impacts of the pandemic on people’s mental health, but also the real and potential role of community in helping people address their mental health challenges.
Almost one-quarter of respondents (24 per cent) said that they became more isolated from their community during the pandemic, with nearly two in three people (61 per cent) saying that this adversely affected their mental wellbeing. Over one-third (37 per cent) said they didn’t have feel they had the support or tools to deal with the “ups and downs of life”, such as stress, pressure or difficult circumstances – with an overwhelming majority (81 per cent) saying that support in the community would help to alleviate this. Examples of community support included having spaces to talk, organised activities and services.
“This research highlights the role of community in supporting people and their mental health at this critical time,” says Paul Farmer, chief executive of Mind. “From being able to spend time in parks and green spaces to being in touch with a community mutual aid group, or simply checking in on neighbours from a safe distance, we know that connections between people and places matter when looking after our mental health.”
Four themes emerged from the conversational research which explored factors that can build community resilience in dealing with mental health. These were: a strong network of community hubs and voluntary sector organisations; open environments to talk about mental health and wellbeing; opportunities to actively participate and make connections in communities; and a sense of community identity and belonging.
The research confirmed that these things all build resilience in communities, which then creates conditions in which individuals and communities can prosper and flourish. “The pandemic has shown us how important it is for us all to stay connected,” says Rebecca Birkbeck, director of community and shared value at the Co-op. “More people having an active role in their community means that more support networks become available to those who need them most. Whether it be small acts of kindness towards other people, or volunteering in your community, helping others can go a long way to improve your own mental wellbeing.”
The partnership charities have called on governments across the UK to recognise the importance of building community resilience in their policy-making post-pandemic.
If you are looking for help with your mental health, you can find local sources of support on this website.
