Belonging and Mental Health: Why Welcoming Communities Matter

People naturally want to feel like they belong. When individuals feel included, their stress decreases, their confidence grows, and they are more likely to participate in community life. Belonging is not a luxury — it is a basic human need, as essential as food and safety. In a diverse place like the UAE, where people from many cultures live side by side, the need for connection is even more important.

Community groups, clubs, and societies often provide newcomers with a sense of belonging. These spaces help people build relationships, understand local culture, and feel grounded in a new environment. When these groups are warm and welcoming, they become powerful protectors of mental health. But when they are closed off, cliquish, or uninviting, they can unintentionally harm confidence and self‑worth. This impact is especially strong for young adults, new residents, people who are grieving or rebuilding their lives, and anyone who already feels alone. Exclusion harms mental health; inclusion strengthens it.

Elders — the long‑time members and tradition keepers — play a major role in shaping the culture of these groups. Often without realizing it, their tone, openness, and willingness to welcome newcomers determine whether someone feels at home or decides never to return. Elders carry the history of a group, but they also carry a responsibility: to help others feel that they, too, have a place.

Small gestures can make a big difference. Elders can invite new members into conversations, introduce them to others, explain group traditions or inside jokes, and encourage them to participate in activities. Asking about a newcomer’s interests or seeking their input shows that their presence matters. These simple, friendly actions turn a group into a welcoming space where everyone feels valued.

Research strongly supports the connection between belonging and mental health. A 2022 review of 66 long‑term studies found that, in 19 of 23 cases, greater social support was associated with fewer depressive symptoms over time. Studies on loneliness show similar patterns: 8 out of 9 found that people who felt lonely at the beginning were more likely to develop anxiety disorders later. Another large study of 3,005 adults found that people who felt isolated had significantly more symptoms of depression. The evidence is clear — social connection protects emotional well‑being.

Simple gestures like saying “We’re glad you’re here” or introducing newcomers to others can lower social anxiety and help people feel like they belong. These moments build emotional resilience. Elders and long‑time members are the heart of clubs and societies. When they welcome, include, and encourage others, they help protect the community’s mental health. A warm greeting might seem small, but for someone who feels alone, it can mean everything.

Welcoming behavior is, in many ways, a mental‑health intervention. Strong social connections support well‑being, reduce distress, and help people thrive. To keep inclusion at the center of community life, groups can adopt simple habits: checking in on new members, starting meetings with a reminder to include everyone, or encouraging people to pair up with someone they don’t know well. Elders can even make it a personal practice to reach out to newcomers and ask if they need help. These small steps help make inclusion a lasting part of the group’s culture rather than a one‑time effort.

Belonging begins with a welcome, and sometimes the smallest welcome comes from the people who’ve been here the longest.

Sources:

(2023). Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. Simply Psychology. https://www.simplypsychology.org/maslow.html, Snethen, G., Jeffries, V., Thomas, E. & Salzer, M. (2021).

Welcoming places: Perspectives of individuals with mental illnesses. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry 91(1), pp. 76-85. https://doi.org/10.1037/ort0000519

Wykes, T., Bell, A., Carr, S., Coldham, T., Gilbody, S., Hotopf, M., Johnson, S., Kabir, T., Pinfold, V., Sweeney, A., Jones, P. B. & Creswell, C. (2021).

Shared goals for mental health research: what, why, and when for the 2020s. Journal of Mental Health 32(6), pp. 997-1005. https://doi.org/10.1080/09638237.2021.1898552, Holt-Lunstad, J. (2024).

Social connection as a critical factor for mental and physical health: evidence, trends, challenges, and future implications. World Psychiatry 23(3), pp. 312-332. https://doi.org/10.1002/wps.21224