Connection is crucial
Draw boundaries, unfollow and block, go no-contact . . . we have so many tools and terms for protecting ourselves from others. But even though cutting ties with toxic people can be necessary, prioritizing the relationships that sustain us—with friends, neighbors, lovers, relatives, and chosen families—is even more essential to mental well-being.
This Mental Health Awareness Month we’re celebrating the power of interpersonal connections, and sharing expert advice on how to strengthen both your closest bonds and broader community.
“Now through therapy I'm able to get a little bit more emotional with people and open myself up in a way that I've never really been comfortable, and my relationships as a result have gotten a lot more authentic.”
“Therapy has helped me see things from other people’s perspectives. It helped me realize there are two points of view.”
“I am allowed to express how I feel, what I want. And I feel like I approach relationships so much stronger and more confident in myself — which makes the relationship more fun for everybody.”
“Being confident in who I am, and confident in my relationship and my place
in the world, has made me a better friend, a better family member, a better wife.”
“Therapy allowed me to hold up a clear mirror to myself. What are the things I can work through to be healthier for those in my life, to communicate better?”
“I'm one of 10 children. And there's a lot of stuff in there to unpack. I think the best word I can say is grace — to give myself some grace and to give my family grace. To see things from their point of view and not just mine.”
Connection grows in therapy
Real Talkspace members share how talking it out in therapy has strengthened their most meaningful relationships.
Interested in starting therapy yourself, or in offering Talkspace as a benefit for your organization?
The state of connection and community in 2026
Talkspace partnered with Talker on a survey of 2000 people in the US general population to understand the state of connection, isolation, and how people navigate relationships and community now. For the full survey results, read XXXX.
have gone “no contact” with a friend or family member in the last year
said they experience loneliness during a typical day
say they feel less socially connected to others in their lives now, compared to five years ago
said they struggle to build in-person community
of people want to get more involved in local community building
want to build connections with their neighbors
Reframing how you think about relationships
“Human beings are naturally social creatures who are not meant to live in isolation. Even though we often focus on things like diet or exercise for our well-being, our relationships are actually one of the most important factors for our mental health. Connections and community help us regulate our emotions, remind us that we are valued, and help us stay resilient when life gets difficult.”
Expert takes on strengthening the relationships that sustain us
Any questions?
Find trust-worthy answers on all things mental health at Talkspace.
How do community connections contribute to your mental health?
Community connections provide a sense of belonging, help us regulate our emotions, help us build resilience, and provide some protection against mental health conditions like depression. Relationships with others in a community also provide a safety net for life’s inevitable challenges. To build more connections and community, start with small goals.
”Connection doesn’t have to mean deep conversation or immediate chemistry. Start by trying to smile and say hello to neighbors when you see them,” says Talkspace therapist Famous Erwin, LMHC, LPC. “Simple interactions that occur consistently—eye contact and brief acknowledgements of the mundane parts of life you share—lay the groundwork for connection.”
Small moments like these that are repeated until they feel comfortable will eventually foster a sense of ease, and allow people to let their guard down and connect without it feeling forced.
Erwin also recommends establishing routines that allow you to connect with people regularly over time. “Visit the same coffee shop or park regularly. Enroll in the same class or attend the same meet-ups. Volunteer with the same organization. Consistency allows people to become familiar with the same faces and form connections naturally. When people know they’ll see each other again, there’s no pressure to force a connection. Instead, it can happen naturally over time.”
Are relationships important to your mental health?
Yes—interpersonal relationships are one of the most important contributors to mental health. Experts say that we should prioritize the quality of our relationships in the same way we focus on diet, exercise, and sleep when we’re optimizing physical health.
“Human beings are naturally social creatures, and biologically our brains are wired to feel safer when we are part of a group,” says Talkspace therapist Reshawna Chapple, PhD, LCSW. “When we are alone for too long, our bodies stay in a state of high stress, which can lead to anxiety and exhaustion.”
How can therapy help you with the relationships in your life?
If you’re struggling with relationship challenges, want to understand your relationship blocks, or simply feel lonely too much of the time, talk to a therapist. A therapist can help you understand what behaviors, expectations, or dynamics from the past are getting in the way of happy, healthy relationships.
Together with your therapist you can understand how to be more open and honest about how you are feeling, and how to repair any relationships that have ruptured. Working on your relationships in individual therapy allows you to learn skills to handle your emotions, become more empathetic to others and yourself, and know what you need and can provide for others when you show up.
What are some ways to start to repair relationships that have been damaged?
Repairing a connection doesn’t have to include grand gestures of apology. While in some cases that’s appropriate, in others you can start with baby steps. Starting to communicate honestly and calmly with your partner, family member, friend (whatever relationship you want to repair) is one of the most effective ways to start.
Using “I feel” statements, listening without getting defensive, and really hearing someone can help repair connection. Learning that you don’t have to fix everything in one conversation is another way we learn to repair in therapy. Sometimes all it takes is a simple text check in or saying “I’m sorry you felt that way, I won’t do that again,” without getting defensive.
“Another huge step in repairing connection is time and trust,” says Famous Erwin, LMHC, LPC, Talkspace therapist. “Trust that the other person will follow through on what they say they will do, and allow them to trust you. Hold each other accountable for set boundaries you both decide on. Allow relationships to heal with time.”
How do I start therapy?
Starting therapy is one of the most rewarding things you can do for yourself. That doesn’t mean the process is always easy in the beginning. If you’ve never done it before, knowing how to start therapy can feel overwhelming. Still, the end result can be so rewarding and life-changing that most people agree therapy is worth it.
First, let go of any stigmas you may have about therapy—our society often makes it seem like asking for help with mental health issues is a bad thing. The reality is that deciding that you’re ready to start living your best life, and then actually doing the work, is one of the best things you can do. Before you actually go into the first session, attempt to create an elevator pitch of your reasons for seeking therapy. Try to come up with a succinct, clear, simple explanation that expresses your ultimate goals. For therapy to be successful, you need to be as open and dedicated as possible to the process. The more you put into it, the more benefits of therapy you’ll experience.
What’s the best time to start therapy?
It’s important to remember that there’s no “perfect” time to start therapy. Therapy and counseling are great tools to incorporate into your life at any time. Your life can feel organized or it can feel messy. You can feel really great or really down. You may feel well-connected or you may feel alone. You might know the exact issue you want to discuss or you may have just a vague notion of a mental health problem. No matter what you’re facing, it’s never too soon or too late to get started—it’s always a great time to start working with a therapist or counselor.
