By: Dariana D. Guerrero

Digitally, we have never been more connected than we are right now, yet many of us feel more isolated and lonely than ever. A 2024 study conducted by the Harvard Graduate School of Education, in partnership with the Making Caring Common Project, found that 21%^[1] of adults in the United States report feeling lonely and disconnected from friends, family, and the world around them. Feelings of loneliness and isolation are connected to our emotional, psychological, and social well-being, generally referred to as our “mental health.” Our mental health shapes how we think, feel, and act, ultimately influencing how we handle stress, relate to others, and make decisions.

Before joining Groundwork Lawrence (GWL) in 2022, I worked as a high school English teacher, educating students in 9th through 12th grade, and saw the consequences that our social isolation during the pandemic had on my students’ mental health. As I traded one adventure for another, my decision to return to my hometown and join GWL was deeply tied to my commitment to community — and the desire to work as a change maker in the city I love. When I joined the team, I began as a Food Security Fellow and helped facilitate the Merrimack Valley Food Resiliency Partnership. During my time working in the field of food insecurity, I saw the connection between our physical and mental health and how one depends on the other. I believe prioritizing our mental health is crucial to living a full and connected life and GWL’s programs are designed with the well-being of our residents, neighbors, friends, and family at the heart of what we do. The theme of mental health can be thought of as a thread woven through our education programs like Green Team, our food access initiatives like our farmers markets, and environmental and open space improvements.

One beautiful example of this is the recent revitalization of O’Connell South Common Park. On April 24th, after dedicated work, we officially cut the ribbon to reintroduce one of Lawrence’s most accessible parks in the heart of South Lawrence. The day was filled with energy and joy as basketball was played on the asphalt courts shielded from the sun by the covered pavilion, families tossing softballs to each other on the field, all ages walking laps around the perimeter of the park, and at least seven children laughing together as they lined up shoulder-to-shoulder on the massive new red slide. The moment proved to be a living example of how public spaces nourish our mental health by creating spaces for connection, movement, and joy.

Taking care of our mental health is not just about being reactive to the stresses of our world but it is a chance for us to practice emotional hygiene (just like brushing our teeth) and being proactive to stay healthy and weather any storm life throws your way.

During our annual Wellness Retreat in the spring facilitated by Colectiva Wellness, staff take part in team-building activities, practice simple yoga poses, and discuss ways to improve their mental health hygiene with guided meditations and breathing exercises. At these retreats, our staff come away with a renewed sense of purpose in their departments, and tools and strategies they can use when stress arises both in professional and personal contexts. In addition to learning more about ourselves during these retreats, we learn that taking care of our social, emotional, and psychological well-being is also about finding connection, being active, and building community. This May, in observation of Mental Health Awareness Month, here are a few simple ways you can prioritize your mental health:

Five Tips for Mental Health Hygiene:

Practice Gratitude. Start each day by naming five things you’re grateful for. Shifting your focus to abundance rather than scarcity can change your entire outlook.

Get Outside. Nature is a proven mood-booster! GWL has renovated or created more than thirty parks and green spaces in Lawrence, offering accessible trails, playgrounds, and outdoor spaces for everyone to enjoy.

Cook a Meal with Someone You Love.  Our diet impacts how we feel. Try cooking a healthy meal and share it with someone special! (Have you ever participated in a GWL cooking class?)

Get Involved. Being part of something bigger than yourself strengthens your sense of belonging. Volunteer at Costello Urban Farm or join us for our next community clean-up!

 Learn Something New. GWL’s “Changing Systems” series shares educational resources on social, cultural, and environmental issues shaping our community. Check out the latest resources and grow your understanding.

At Groundwork Lawrence, we believe that small, intentional acts can create waves of change within ourselves and in our neighborhoods. This Mental Health Awareness Month let’s commit to connection, to kindness, and to making positive changes so that everyone can live their best and healthiest lives.

To learn more about our programs visit: https://groundworklawrence.org/what-we-do/

To sign up to volunteer at one of our events, visit: https://groundworklawrence.org/who-we-are/volunteer/

^[1] https://mcc.gse.harvard.edu/reports/loneliness-in-america-2024