Mental Health Awareness Week 2025
Power of Community
875,000 workers in the UK experience work-related stress, depression, or anxiety.
This costs UK Employers over £42 billion each year
This is a chance to talk about mental health issues and help improve the mental health of our friends, family, and colleagues.
This year’s theme is all about celebrating the importance and power of Community.
Benefits of Community
Communities help us connect with others, providing a sense of belonging, safety, and support during tough times. Dr Hallowell describes connection as “feeling a part of something larger than yourself,feeling close to another person or group, feeling welcomed and understood.” Our relationships with family, friends, coworkers, and community members are crucial for our survival as they provide the support we need to handle life’s challenges. These social connections are vitalfor maintaining emotional well-being.
Research shows that feeling connected can improve both physical and mental health. Psychological theories like Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs highlight the importance of social connections. Studies also show that social isolation can harm health.
Health Benefits of Community:
Reduced risk of depression and anxiety
Overall improved mental health
Better resilience
Improved cognitive function
Reduced risk of heart disease
Longer life expectancy
Harvard Business Review has found that when employees feela good sense of community at work, they are more engaged, thrive, and stay with their organisation.
How can employers help?
Team Building: Activities that focus on shared goals help teams work better together. Simple activities like walking together, eating lunch together, or doing a quiz can encourage interactions and build team spirit.
Promote Learning Opportunities: Create chances for shared learningthrough group discussions, team meetings, training sessions, and workshops. Coaching or mentoring programs can also help. Over 70% of people in coaching programs report better work performance, relationships, communication skills and job satisfaction.
Encourage Breaks: Taking regular breaks can restore concentration, reduce stress, and improve health. Casual chats with colleagues can help build deeper connections and improve relationships.
Creating friendly, well-connected workplace culturewith a sense of community can improve employee health, boost team morale, increase productivity, creativity, and support staff retention.
Find out more: mentalhealth.org.uk