The importance of community when times are tough

This years Mental Health Awareness week is focusing on community, and there is a really good reason for this. Feelings of social isolation, feeling disconnected and loneliness can put you more at risk of anxiety, depression and poor mental health, and feeling part of a community, in whatever form that takes, can help to boost your wellbeing and give you a sense of purpose.

At a time when many of us are struggling with the cost of living, the lack of support from local government, education and health systems, and an abundance of issues we are exposed to in the media, the need to look after each other as well as ourselves could not be stronger.

Often people undervalue their own skills, hesitant to get involved or feeling things are better left to professionals or experts. The reality is that every one of us is a valued member of a community who has experienced a life journey, and everything that comes with it, and if we pool our resources, listen and support each other – we can offer a more consistent level of support, with a longer lasting effect.

Here at Youth Trauma Allies, the key word is ALLIES – we want to boost the skills, confidence and resilience of the community that supports young people who have experienced trauma. These allies are the people the young people see all the time, they are the parents, the grandparents, the siblings, the friends, the teachers, the youth workers, the lunchtime staff, the religious leaders and everyone else in-between. Many of these people do have the skills – they just need to tap into them, feel heard, supported and encouraged to know what to do in difficult situations.

We also strongly believe that the voice of the young people that our services are intended to help are represented. We want to help build a community based on the needs of the community, giving people a sense of purpose and an opportunity to heal and prevent further trauma.

This is one of the reasons Youth Trauma Allies offer training, signposting and resources to schools and parents, as well as reflective practice spaces for school staff, families, community groups and others to come together and feel listened to and held, with the view to strengthen their well-being.

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If you want to find out more about how we can help you create mentally healthy and supportive communities around our young people, don’t hesitate to get in touch.