This week has marked Mental Health Awareness Week in New Zealand. The theme, this year, was Belonging Matters, with the Māori whakataukī (proverb) “Ko au ko koe, ko koe ko au — I am you, and you are me”.
Research shows that feeling connected to others can support our mental health and wellbeing. It gives us opportunities to share experiences, find support and feel part of something beyond ourselves. But in New Zealand, in a survey from 2023, more than 760,000 New Zealanders aged 15+ said they experienced loneliness at least some of the time.
So how can we build that sense of belonging in our everyday lives?
Building belonging at work
For many of us, work is one of the main places we interact with other people.
A positive workplace culture gives people opportunities to contribute, share their ideas and feel that their work is valued.
We shared some tips to make people feel welcome at work on our Substack last month.
How to make people feel welcome at work
A job description tells people what they’ll be doing and where. What it doesn’t tell people is how things actually get done.
Belonging at work doesn’t mean everyone has to be best friends. People can have different personalities, interests and opinions while still feeling respected and included. And people can be friendly at work without having to socialise outside work hours if they don’t want to.
Finding connection in your local community
Feeling connected to the place where you live can help you develop relationships beyond your immediate household. This can be particularly important when you are new to an area, working from home or going through a life change.
Here are some ways to make those connections.
Become a familiar face. Visit your local café, library, park or community space regularly. Recognising familiar faces can be the first step towards a conversation.
Find an activity you enjoy. Joining something like a book club, walking group, gardening group, sports club or community class gives you the chance to share an activity you enjoy and meet people with common interests.
Take part in local one-off events. If you don’t want to commit to a class or regular group, you can still connect with people through one-off events. Check your local council website or social media, or head to your library to see what’s on.
Try volunteering. Local charities and community organisations always welcome people who can spare some time. Volunteering is a great way to learn new skills and meet new people while also giving back.
Offer an informal hand. Can’t commit to regular volunteering? You can still help out informally. Share a skill, help organise a neighbourhood activity or offer practical support to someone nearby.
Reconnect with someone. Get in touch with an old friend, invite a neighbour for a walk or arrange that catch-up you’ve been putting off.
Helping other people feel they belong
We can also help create the kind of workplaces and communities where people feel welcome.
Notice when someone is being left out of a conversation. Introduce people who haven’t met, invite a new colleague or neighbour to join in a local event or activity, and show an interest in people whose experiences differ from yours.
Start with one small step
This Mental Health Awareness Week, think about where you feel connected and where you’d like to build stronger relationships.
You could start a conversation with a colleague, look up a local group that interests you or get in touch with someone you’d like to catch up with. Start with just one small step and see where it takes you.