Welcome back! And welcome to Mental Health Awareness Week.

Belonging is all about feeling connected. It is a fundamental part of our wellbeing and plays an important role in maintaining good mental health.

Research shows that a strong sense of belonging is closely linked to better mental health outcomes. Supportive relationships, connection to community, and trust in others all contribute to improved wellbeing and overall health. However, for many people, these social connections are becoming harder to maintain.

We all deserve to feel like we belong

Globally, seven in ten people report being unwilling or hesitant to trust people with different values, perspectives, or cultural backgrounds (Edelman Trust Barometer, 2024). Here in New Zealand, the proportion of adults who report feeling lonely some or most of the time has increased by 3.3% over the past decade (Health NZ, 2025). Factors such as discrimination, financial stress, disability, language barriers, housing instability, and exclusion can make it harder for people to experience belonging and connection.

Loneliness and social isolation can only be addressed if we all play a part. Everyone deserves to feel connected and experience the positive impact that belonging can have on mental health. But when you're feeling lonely or isolated, taking the first step can be difficult. Often, the solution is created through communities, schools and workplaces that help people feel welcomed, valued, and included.

What's on this week at OP?