Want Better Mental Health?

Connect with Your Community

By: Dr. Julie Radlauer-Doerfler, LMHC

Do you know that in the last twenty years, people went from having three close connections to having two close connections? That’s a problem because when we have strong social connections in our lives, we live 3.7 years longer than isolated people. There are other mental and physical health outcomes attributed to social connections including an increased immune system, less heart disease, and diabetes, decreased depression and anxiety, and even better memory.

As a researcher of social connectedness, I am often asked, “How can I create better connections in my life?” Seems like a straightforward question, but my typical response is, can you tell me more about what kind of connections you are looking to create? Feeling connected to another person is very different than feeling connected to your community. Honestly, we need both and one is not more important than the other.

Research demonstrates that we are happier when we have 3-5 strong ties (deep connections). Additionally, we can have up to 150 weak ties (friends, co-workers, classmates, or social media connections). It’s the combination of strong ties and weak ties that creates a happy, healthy human being.

Sometimes social connections are about people, and sometimes they are about networks and communities. When we are talking about individual connections, we are looking for a support system to help us in times of need. When we’re talking about community connections, we’re looking for a sense of belonging. According to Healthy Places by Design, “People living in socially connected communities are more likely to thrive because they feel safe, welcome, and trust each other.”

Many people struggle with having those 3-5 strong connections in their life, thus, when they need support, they end up in crisis and leaning on government systems. One way to build those 3-5 strong connections is to engage in developing community social capital.

What’s Social Capital?

Have you ever been involved in a group, sports team, or with co-workers and had a need? Just by having access to others, you were able to ask for advice, seek support, or maybe even benefit from a connection- that’s social capital. If you reflect on that situation, did having a relationship with that person help you solve your problem? Research demonstrates that just by thinking you have someone to turn to (perceived support), you have better mental health.

These days, in communities all over the world, people are struggling with their mental health. Some communities have taken matters into their own hands and are using social capital to address community mental health. In Africa, there is a program called Friendship Bench where local “grandmothers” are trained in mental health interventions. The intervention involves sitting on community benches and being available for people in need to join them in conversation. This is an amazing example of social capital- they are taking the strengths in the community (the “grandmothers” who have time and experience) and creating an opportunity to support others in need.

Sometimes social connections are about people, and sometimes they are about networks and communities. When we are talking about individual connections, we are looking for a support system to help us in times of need. When we’re talking about community connections, we’re looking for a sense of belonging.

Now, ask yourself this question, how do you think that the “grandmother” feels being a part of Friendship Bench? Not only is she helping someone in need, but she is also part of a solution to improve mental health AND she belongs to an important movement in the community. A similar program is available in the United States called Sidewalk Talk and it has been used in communities all over the country. Programs like these utilize something called abundance thinking, which is a mindset that focuses on community assets rather than on deficits. It is the belief that there are enough resources available and more than enough creativity and wisdom to meet our needs. We build social capital when we recognize, celebrate, and reinforce assets inherent in local communities and acknowledge that every resident has assets and the ability to lead their change.

Building social capital starts with individual contributions. There are so many ways to build social capital, here are just a few:

• Make time to connect with people: When we take the time to learn about people, we create a connection that can support future community growth.

• Follow through and get things done: People want to work with others who are dependable and hardworking.

• Be positive and optimistic: Say yes to invitations to participate in community efforts, boards, and organizations.

• Express Gratitude: Gratitude strengthens bonds between people, deepens trust, and expands social capital. People want to be around others who see them, appreciate them, and value their contributions.

• Return the favor: Reciprocity is an important component of building relationships.

• Invite others to participate: Enlist others along the way and help others build relationship networks.

Building relationships, connections, and social capital takes time and energy. When people invest their time and assets to help the greater good, communities become stronger, tighter bonds are created among residents, and support is built to sustain change. Having these connections creates better mental health for individuals as well as the community. Together we can change the narrative on mental health.

Dr. Radlauer-Doerfler is a leading expert in social connection and social support and uses her experience to create impact within communities, systems, organizations, and individuals. Her approach is collaborative, creative, and curious as she strives to educate utilizing unique avenues including media, stage production, video production, podcasting and writing. She has extensive experience in behavioral health, public health, and organizational development for more than 25 years. She is a national expert in behavioral health, social support, and social connectedness and uses this knowledge to further mental wellness. Her research on structural racism in the behavioral health field has led to the development of a national curriculum designed to create more equitable systems. She is passionate about addressing behavioral health challenges through social support and speaks widely on the topic.

The Word is a broad topic space for contributing writers (a.k.a the community) to share your stories of behavioral health or anything self-care related i.e. fitness, health, educational, parenting, hobbies, wellness, etc. To contribute, send your article ideas to thewell@bewellpbc.org with “The Word” in the subject line.

By: Ruhani Dashmesh | @jupitermhaclub @Photography by Sunman

The topic of mental health is frequently looked at negatively due to society’s stigma towards it. Not only can mental health disorders lead to difficulties in relationships, but mental health disorders can also lead to affecting the persons’ well-being, their thinking, and their behavior. Mental health issues in teenagers are growing rapidly and they are highlighted by the CDC, mentioning “more than 1 in 3 high school students experienced poor mental health…” This is a significant statement because it reveals how many teens are impacted by mental health issues worldwide.

The Mental Health Awareness Club was started in the 2022-2023 school year at Jupiter High School and has over 200 members within our first year. The main goal of our club is to focus on school-wide mental health efforts as well as raising money and spreading awareness of mental health issues. During the club meetings, members are encouraged to write notes and cards with drawings and information briefing about mental health. The Mental Health Awareness Club officers then hang up the notes and cards throughout the high-traffic areas around the school to promote attention to the importance of mental health, especially among teenagers.

Ruhani Dashmesh and Sabrina Cohen are the Co-Founders of the Mental Health Awareness Club. Ruhani Dashmesh,

Sophomore at Jupiter High School, and Sabrina Cohen, Junior. We would also like to thank our wonderful advisor, Sarah Guzick, and our officers for making this opportunity possible.

To help increase awareness and raise money for people suffering from mental health disorders, the club partnered with the National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI). NAMI helps overcome the stigma of mental illness by advocating, educating, and supporting victims of mental illness. The club had initially planned to raise $1,000 for NAMI; however, we quickly surpassed our goal by preparing multiple fundraisers. In November of 2022, NAMI had its annual 5k walk, where individuals had a place to unwind. Attendees were able to walk from various sponsor tables that were giving out prizes to all those participating!

Members of the Mental Health Awareness Club at Jupiter High School were encouraged to participate. Over 25 members came to the 5k walk and involved themselves within the community and represented Jupiter High School. Prior to the walk, the club had started the donation pages for NAMI to help raise as much money as possible. Members sent their donor pages to their family and friends which helped us reach our goal by a lot. The club has now raised over $2,500 for NAMI.

For World Mental Health Day on November 10th, Jupiter High School MHA passed out green ribbons symbolizing Mental Health Awareness to students and encouraged the importance of mental health.

Recently in December, we held a day after school for anyone at Jupiter High School to come and participate in painting. Paint day was a free event for which any student from Jupiter High School was encouraged to attend. Everyone who was able to attend was provided with canvases, paint, and bristol boards. We had an outcome of over 20+ students joining us. The event provided students with a way to socialize and relieve stress since finals were coming up.

Another fundraiser that helped us raise money was holding a booth at our school’s annual homecoming carnival. We set up a table and held a drawing for prizes. Prizes ranged from a variety of different things.

These were a few activities we did throughout this year, despite it being our first. It is so incredibly important to bring light to mental health and overcome the negative stigma towards it.

The Fountain is a space for youth to share their point of view on things that matter to them. To contribute, send your article ideas to thewell@ bewellpbc.org with “The Fountain” in the subject line.

“Cancel Culture” is a new name for a phenomenon that has long existedbefore celebrities were being brigaded on Twitter with #CancelParties, there were boycotts and calls to action for accountability, both on an individualized and collective scale.

However, the concept is far more complex and nuanced - especially when viewed through the lens of family and community as opposed to celebrity and fan culture.

Dr. Lucinda Bratini is a licensed psychologist and community organizer whose work focuses on co-constructing relational-cultural tools for individuals and communities.

“I think we all have engaged in this practice of canceling,” she said. “What we have termed ‘Cancel Culture’ or ‘Call Out Culture’ is a practice of not dealing with, not engaging or disconnecting from corporations or individuals that have been oppressive or beyond offensive and folks that have engaged in horrific acts that have significant impacts on our communities.”

Looking at it from the pro-perspective, Dr. Bratini says that Cancel Culture can be an effective tool in rebalancing the power dynamic between individuals/communities and corporate entities.

“I think there are ways in which this practice can be done well,” she said. “Collective cancellation or boycotting has highlighted the unjust and oppressive practices of corporations, so it brings attention and holds institutions accountable.”