Neighborhood
Neighborhood communities can play a much larger role in mental health than one might realize. Whether it be next-door neighbors or nearby group meeting places, many are surrounded by an entire community within their neighborhood that they may have never noticed. Participating in community events can enhance feelings of belonging, and there are many different opportunities that one can take advantage of.
Examples of Events
What can you do for your neighborhood?
Thursdays at the Museum
Older individuals in a neighborhood community might struggle with mental health as they might have a difficult time finding ways to be active and socialize with others. For this reason, the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts created a program known as Thursdays at the Museum. This event allows older individuals to gather at the Museum and participate in creative art-based activities. A clinical trial was conducted over a three-month period to analyze the effects of this participatory event on the mental health of older community dwellers. A sample of individuals participating in the program reported improved quality of life and general well-being when compared to the control group that did not participate in the program (Beauchet et al., 2020). These results suggest a relationship between participation in neighborhood events and improved mental health among older individuals.
​
-
Religious Services!
-
Holiday Celebrations!
-
Farmer's Market!
-
Volunteering!
​
-
Community Gardens!
​
-
Library Book Club!
-
Sports in the Park​!
-
Consider hosting events for your neighborhood!
​
-
Trivia, movies, art, music, and sports are all great ways to bring people together.
​
-
Visiting older individuals in your community can be mutually beneficial social experiences!
​
-
Volunteering in your neighborhood allows you to feel connected to your community while helping others!
Community Gardens
Neighborhood communities extend beyond houses that are next to each other. There are many diverse public spaces that offer opportunities for community gatherings. Community gardens are unique spaces that promote mental health while also giving people a chance to give back to their community. These gardens can be overlooked in some neighborhoods, as many might not realize the benefits they can offer: "The provision of food security for the community, a therapeutic landscape, and increased social activity are often discussed as key benefits" (Dewi et al., 2017). Simple activities such as contributing to a neighborhood garden are associated with reductions in anxiety and general mood boosts because they give individuals the abilities to socialize, help others, and ultimately relax.
​
To find out more about how your community can play a part in your mental health, visit Head to Health. In addition, visit the National Alliance on Mental Illness for information on community support groups!
​
Sources:
Beauchet, Cooper-Brown, L., Hayashi, Y., Galery, K., Vilcocq, C., & Bastien, T. (2020). Effects of "Thursdays at the Museum" at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts on the mental and physical health of older community dwellers: The art-health randomized clinical trial protocol. Trials, 21(1), 709–709. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13063-020-04625-3
Dewi, Komatsuzaki, M., Yamakawa, Y., Takahashi, H., Shibanuma, S., Yasue, T., Okayama, T., Toyoda, A., Shimonishi, H., & Sasaki, S. (2017). Community gardens as health promoters: Effects on mental and physical stress levels in adults with and without mental disabilities. Sustainability (Basel, Switzerland), 9(1), 63. https://doi.org/10.3390/su9010063