Mental Health Awareness Week 2022 has just come to an end. The theme this year was ‘Reconnect - with the people and places that lift you up, hei pikinga waiora.’

The positive mental health benefits of connection are clear.

Research has found that:

• Happier people tend to have strong social relationships

• Social networks promote a sense of belonging and wellbeing

• People with a higher number of close connections (three or more) were found to have a lower incidence of mental health conditions.

• You can explore some of the research on this via the MHAW website here

But how can this help people who struggle to stay social?