The Science Behind WeBe

Community & Social Connections  

WeBe offers Affinity Groups to create online communities that facilitate the powerful positive effects of community and social connection on mental health and well being. The effects of social support on mental health are well known, with a strong evidence base that extends over well 40 years (see Turner, Frankel & Levin, 1983; Harandi, Taghinasab & Nayeri, 2017; Hendryx, Green & Perrin, 2008). Poor social support has been linked to indications of poor mental and physical health including depression, loneliness, cardiovascular disease, alcohol use, addiction, severe mental illness, and suicide.  As a result, treatment programs focused on mental health and substance use have typically included efforts to establish and enhance social support systems as a specific part of healing and recovery.   

There are many studies highlighting the importance of social connections for mental health and well being.  

  • Studies have demonstrated the vital role social engagement plays in preventing mental health problems, maintaining good mental health, and aiding in the recovery from both moderate and severe mental health conditions. Isolation and loneliness have been associated with poorer mental health (Holt-Lunstad, 2024). 

  • Social isolation and loneliness have been found to be more powerful risk factors than other behavioral risk factors like smoking, poor diet, lack of exercise, and obesity. Building and maintaining social relationships is essential for fostering a healthy and fulfilling life (Sugel, 2024). 

  • Studies have demonstrated that individuals who volunteer during their retirement live longer than people who don’t volunteer – especially for those who report altruistic values or a desire for social engagement as the main reasons for wanting to volunteer (Konrath et al., 2012). 

Social support has also been studied specifically as it relates to Military/Veteran populations: 

  • Among U.S. National Guard soldiers, unit cohesion and social support were related to less depression and suicidal ideation (Rugo et al., 2020).