​Building a Sense of Belonging Through Community

Having a sense of community where you feel supported and can rely on others when needed acts as a buffer to the stresses and challenges that life can bring.

𝒷𝓎 Marianne Wylie, MSW, RSW

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Feeling a sense of belonging within a community is an important part of maintaining mental wellness.
 
Having a sense of community where you feel supported and can rely on others when needed acts as a buffer to the stresses and challenges that life can bring.
 
What does community mean anyway?
 
Community can include the geographical area that a group of people live in (e.g., a town or neighbourhood) and/or the relational connections made between members of a group that share the same interest or skills (McMillan & Chavis, 1986, pg 8). This can include parent groups, yoga groups, church community, self-help or other healing groups, LGBTQ+ community, hiking groups, regulars at a coffee shop who get together, etc.
 
McMillan and Chavis (1986) add that a sense of community includes four elements:

• feeling a sense of belonging in a group of people
• feeling that the group matters to you and like you matter to the group
• a group member’s need can be met within the group, and
• a spiritual or emotional connection to the group (pg. 9). 

 
Small Town – Big City
 
The challenges of establishing a sense of community can be very different when living in a small town versus a city. In a small town, most people in town probably know you because you see the same people every day, and many are either related to you or connected by mutual friendships. You know your neighbours… you’re fairly confident in who you can trust and know who to ask for a favour. You likely feel it is safe for your 10-year-old to walk several blocks on their own to get to the park or go play with a friend. In small communities, there is often a better sense of safety with daily living.
 
In a bigger city, life is more individualistic where independence is assumed. In other words, you likely don’t know many of the people in your neighbourhood and find that people are less likely to say hello and get to know you. You hear about crime more frequently, and not knowing who your neighbours are can feel scary. In the city, you might not let your 10-year-old out past dark or walk more than a block away unsupervised. This limited safety inherent in larger areas places more pressure on individuals to find creative ways to connect with their community. However, simply on account of having a larger population, the city usually boasts more opportunities for community activities.
 
Community Belonging and Mental Health
 
Regardless of where you live, feeling a meaningful sense of belonging to a group, however small or large, can really help our mental state in several ways:

1. Support and resources to address personal struggles like depression, anxiety, parenting and more. People who have a sense of community often feel comfortable confiding in a trusted friend in that community group.
2. Sense of identity. It can shape what and who you identify as or help you feel like you fit in with other like-minded people.  
3. Sense of belonging and inclusion. You can enjoy the activities you like with people that share your interests.
4. Sense of purpose which is an important part of our spiritual health. Being part of something bigger than oneself can align one with those who have similar goals.  
5. Personal goals are more easily reached as they can utilize resources available within that community. For example, a fellow community member may be skilled in accounting which can help with that difficult tax issue you’ve been stressing over. Or you may find personal healing and growth with others you can relate to because of similar life experiences.

 
Here are some ways to get you started to build a sense of community:
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• Start by taking an inventory of where you are at. Who is currently a part of your life? Some of these people may give you a feeling of belonging and connection that a sense of community offers. They may be your community.
• Make small talk with the people around you, such as the store clerk you see often or a neighbour or another parent at your child’s extracurricular activity. Building a sense of community can include connecting with people around you no matter how infrequent or seemingly inconsequential. Being able to say “Hello. How are you today?” can reduce the lonely feeling that comes with feeling isolated. These small connections may stay small or may grow into friendships.
• Consider making a list of interests you have (e.g., sports, activities, skills).
• Look to your local recreation centre, library, or Thunder Bay’s The Key magazine for groups that offer what you’re interested in.
• Consider connecting to online groups and forums.
• Organize a group or activity. Ask friends and family if they would like to join you in an activity you have a shared interest in. Perhaps make it a regularly scheduled activity.

 
The point is not to make it feel like another task on your already busy To-Do list. Start small if needed and begin with where you are already at. Perhaps you are already part of a meaningful community. Focus then on strengthening the connections within it. The point is to enjoy the process of building or being part of your community(ies).

​After all, it’s the journey of enjoying the meaningful connections we have that keeps us well.
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Source:
 
McMillan, D., & Chavis, D. (1986). Sense of Community: A Definition and Theory. Journal of Community Psychology, Vol. 14. George Peabody College of Vanderbilt University.
Pretty, G., Bishop, B., Fisher, A., & Sonn, C. (2006). Psychological Sense of Community and Its Relevance to Well-Being and Everyday Life in Australia. The Australian Psychological Society Ltd.