Leederville acts to end social isolation

The importance of community connections and belonging to a community group is being highlighted during this week's Mental Health Week promotions.

Community street and arts festivals, closing down roads to traffic, getting kids out of their houses to play freely and offering yoga in the park are part of a successful plan by community group Leederville Connect to end social isolation, and make a more friendly and mentally healthy neighbourhood.

Leederville Connect is part of a positive change movement towards creating more resilient, inclusive, connected and vibrant local communities, providing an active community voice with a 'can-do-attitude'.

The seemingly simple connections formed between people at our events can break down some of the barriers that would ordinarily keep people isolated and marginalised.

These events bring people together, provide opportunities to connect and create lively and activated streets and public spaces. They are at the core of building and maintaining community resilience, social capital and helping us build a strong sense of community and local pride.

How we interact, the degree to which we trust and bind with each other in a caring, inclusive community is important.

Living in a thriving, inclusive community matters. It affects how long we live and our quality of life, both physically and mentally.

Living alone, having a small social network, infrequent participation in social activities and feelings of loneliness increase the risk of becoming socially disconnected.

People want to live in a community where they belong, feel safe and welcome and are a part of a genuinely caring community that looks out for each other. There are proven and once again links between our sense of belonging and the quality of our social connections and both our physical and mental health.

Social isolation is widely regarded as the new smoking, linked with anxiety, depression, antisocial behavior and even suicidal behaviours. There is now compelling evidence linking mental illness and social isolation and chronic loneliness.

The level of our social networks has been shown to be powerful predictors of our mortality - the same as lifestyle factors like smoking, high blood pressure and high cholesterol.

The good news is research shows people who are socially connected to their community, family and friends who participate in social activities, who volunteer, are happier and generally live longer.

Eat healthily and exercise, yes, but don't forget to connect with your community.

Leederville Connect is also the community group behind the highly successful Light Up Leederville Carnival - this year to be held on December 3 and once again under the Direction of Upbeat Events .

Joanne Fotakis is Chair of Leederville Connect's Activation Committee and Light Up Leederville Carnival Organising Committee. Excerpts from The West Australian, article by Marnie McKimmie.