Tips for Establishing a Healthy Community

by Abish Israde, CMHP, Wedgwood Wraparound Program Supervisor  

Social connections are at the root of building healthy communities. Our relationships and interactions with family, friends, coworkers, and community members are just some of what can help us create positive social interactions. Other factors such as our schools, workplaces, and digital environments further impact how we interact with our communities. However, far too many people from all socio-economic backgrounds have reported feeling isolated, invisible, insignificant, and lonely.  

The 2023 U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory report states that lacking social connection can increase the risk for premature death as much as smoking up to 15 cigarettes a day. So how can we combat this at the individual level? Healing is in plain sight, and we can begin by starting where we are, using what we have, and doing what we can.  

Abish Israde, CMHP, Wedgwood Wraparound Program Supervisor, shares recommendations compiled from the 2023 U.S. Surgeon Generals Advisory report on the healing effects of social connection and community.  

 

SIX WAYS TO CREATE A HEALTHY COMMUNITY: 

Invest time in nurturing your relationships. 

Consistent, frequent, and high-quality engagement with others is crucial for building strong bonds. Take time each day to reach out to a friend or family member and follow through with missed calls or texts. By prioritizing these interactions, you create a supportive network that strengthens over time.  

Minimize distraction during conversation. 

Minimizing distractions during conversations is crucial for enhancing the quality of the time you spend with others. For instance, don’t check your phone during meals with friends, important conversations, and family time. Giving undivided attention demonstrates your commitment to being present and allows for more meaningful exchanges of thoughts, feelings, and experiences.   

Be responsive, supportive, and practice gratitude.  

As we practice these behaviors, others are more likely to reciprocate, strengthening our social bonds, improving relationship satisfaction, and building social capital. These behaviors create a positive feedback loop where others are encouraged to reciprocate.  

Participate in social and community groups.  

Groups such as fitness, religious, hobby, professional, and community service organizations foster a sense of belonging, meaning, and purpose. By actively participating in social and community groups, we enrich our social lives and find fulfillment in collective goals and meaningful connections with like-minded individuals. 

Reflect on the core values of connection. 

Reflecting the values involves how you approach others in conversation and through the actions you take. Key questions to ask yourself when considering your interactions with others include:  

• How might kindness change this situation?  

• What would it look like to treat others with respect?  

• How can I be of service?  

• How can I reflect my concern for and commitment to others? 

These values contribute to building stronger, more meaningful relationships based on trust and mutual respect in all aspects of your life.  

Seek help during times of struggle. 

Seek help with loneliness or isolation by reaching out to a family member, friend, counselor, health care provider, or the 988 crisis line. Opening up about your feelings and seeking support not only alleviates the burden of dealing with difficulties alone but also allows others to provide guidance, empathy, and assistance when needed.  

 

6 WAYS CAREGIVERS CAN CREATE A HEALTHY COMMUNITY: 

Model healthy social connection. 

Demonstrate constructive conflict resolution, spending time together, staying in regular contact with extended family, friends, and neighbors, setting time aside for socializing away from technology or social media, and participating in community events. By practicing healthy communication, you set a positive example for others to encourage a supportive environment.  

 

Invest in your relationship with your child or loved one. 

By recognizing that strong, secure attachments are protective and a good foundation for other healthy relationships, you foster a sense of trust and emotional security. These positive interactions strengthen your bond and contribute to your overall well-being and development.  

Check out our blog to learn how 10 minutes a day can make an impact on your child’s life.  

Help children and adolescents develop strong, safe, and stable relationships with supportive adults. 

Supportive adults such as grandparents, teachers, coaches, counselors, and mentors are necessary for emotional and social development. These relationships provide guidance, encouragement, and security in helping children navigate challenges, explore interests, and develop into well-rounded individuals.  

Encourage healthy social connection with peers. 

Support individual friendships, as well as participation in structured activities such as volunteering, sports, community activities, and mentorship programs. These opportunities help young people develop important social skills like cooperation, empathy, and communication.  

Be attentive to how young people spend their time online.  

Delay the age at which children join social media platforms and monitor and decrease screen time in favor of positive, in-person, connection-building activities. The goal is to reduce excessive or harmful social media use. This approach encourages the balanced use of technology while supporting face-to-face interactions that are crucial for social development.  

Check out the Wedgwood Coffee Break Conversation: State of the Child series with teenagers from Wedgwood’s Teen CHARGE student leadership group as they dive into a conversation about life online accompanied by professional input from our panel of experts. You can find our podcast on our YouTube channel, or the Wedgwood Podcast – available wherever you get your podcasts. 

Talk to your children about social connection regularly. 

Regularly communicate with your children to understand if they are struggling with loneliness or isolation, to destigmatize talking about these feelings, and to create space for children to share their perspectives and needs. Connect youth with chosen professionals to further expand on these concerns. Learn more about our counseling services to get connected to support.  

Wedgwood is here to help you, wherever you are. 

At Wedgwood Christian Services, you’ll find a caring and compassionate team of professionals who understand the complexities of mental health and are committed to providing individualized care that meets your unique needs. Wedgwood’s holistic approach offers a comprehensive range of services to help you or your loved one achieve mental health growth & progress. 

Wedgwood Christian Services is located on the southeast side of Grand Rapids in West Michigan.  

If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, Wedgwood’s Counseling and Psychiatric Services have immediate openings. You can contact the Bouma Counseling Center at (616) 942-7294 or email counseling@wedgwood.org for more information.