Social Connections Advance Community Well Being
Social connection is a fundamental human need that has far-reaching implications on our health and wellness. Having a social support system for even something as basic as shoveling snow off the steps, or getting the trash out to the curb, can make a difference in how connected we feel with our community, and in turn, how we handle life’s challenges.
"Everyone wants to feel like someone cares."-- a note taped to this writer's desk
Community Commons is proud to bring stories and resources related to this very important public health concept to you.
Read about why the word “love” is an important part of the Proviso (Illinois) Partners for Health vision statement.
Be inspired by the deep relationships built through the Algoma High School student mentor Wolves and their elementary student Pups.
Find out about the work the Well Being Trust is doing to reduce isolation within communities.
WIN Pacesetter Story: Advancing Intergenerational Well-Being in Proviso, Illinois
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Action Guide for Building Socially Connected Communities
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How Does Our Sense of Belonging Shape our Mental Health?
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Social Connections Give Us a Sense of Belonging
Belonging and Civic Muscle is one of the seven Vital Conditions and refers to the special capacity of people and institutions that convey to all: 1) a sense of belonging and 2) the power to influence policies, practices, and programs that shape communities.
Belonging and Civic Muscle is foundational to expanding all Vital Conditions, given the extent to which the power of belonging can shape communities. Higher levels of social cohesion are associated with higher levels of trust, cooperation and social capital, providing the necessary foundation for creating healthy patterns for working together across groups and sectors, and for building the “civic infrastructure” that enables community members to co-create a shared future.
Cross-Cutting Themes: Working Across the Vital Conditions
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We believe information in context is essential for moving you from insight to action. That’s why we collect the best content around key topics and nest it with hand-curated, innovative resources, tools, and data. Here are some resources we think can help you integrate the concept of social connection to your own community change work.
To Improve Student Health and Well-Being Focus on Mental Health
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Social Cohesion and Belonging Predict the Well-Being of Community-Dwelling Older People
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