Fostering a sense of belonging: Supporting psychosocial well-being

A strong sense of belonging is associated with good mental health and psychosocial well-being (Carter et al., 2023; Stallman et al., 2023). Belongingness is a subjective entity, with its meaning dependent upon the context of the group or organization to which a person belongs. For example, an individual’s sense of belonging to a family will differ from their sense of belonging to a recreational group or, more broadly, a nation. This column discusses belongingness, including its benefits for individuals and groups. The outcomes of thwarted belongingness are also considered by drawing on examples of people who have moved on from groups known for facilitating a heightened sense of belonging, such as the military and religious cults. Insights from these examples are used to consider how mental health nurses can better support people with mental illness who feel alienated, marginalized, or excluded.