ADVOCATING FOR EACH OTHER & BUILDING COMMUNITY
We Are Wired to Connect
“ I do believe we ’ re all connected . I do believe in positive energy . I do believe in the power of prayer . I do believe in putting good out into the world . And I believe in taking care of each other .”
This quote by Harvey Fierstein , an American actor , playwright and screenwriter , is an expression I incorporate into my life to bring me perspective on my surroundings .
Humans are rooted to connect with others , and this is an innate aspect of our nature that plays a significant role in our overall well-being . Human connection is crucial for our mental , emotional and physical health , as it provides us with emotional support , empathy and a sense of belonging . It allows us the comfort to confide our thoughts and feelings , which helps to alleviate stressors in a difficult time .
Human connection is the catalyst to create strong and meaningful relationships . The ability to build and nurture relationships gives us the opportunity to strengthen our self-esteem . Studies have shown that strong social connections are linked to better physical health outcomes . Thus , those with supportive relationships tend to have lower levels of stress , reduced risk of mental health disorders , enhanced immune function and improved longevity .
Maslow ’ s Hierarchy of Needs is a psychological theory proposed by Abraham Maslow that suggests human needs can be organized into a hierarchy with five levels . Starting with Physiological Needs , to Safety , to a sense of Love and Belonging , to Self-Esteem Needs , and finally Self-Actualization at the top of the hierarchy . According to Maslow , individuals must fulfill the lower-level needs before they can progress to higher-level needs . For example , we cannot achieve Self-Actualization without fulfilling Self-Esteem , we cannot achieve Self-Esteem without a sense of Love and Belonging , and so on . by ZUBI SULEMAN , MD
We can therefore conclude that we cannot progress towards an ideal self without that feeling of belonging , or “ connection .” This is precisely why connection is widely recognized as a fundamental human need and plays a crucial role in overall well-being . It deepens our feeling of personal safety knowing we are not alone , and allows us the capacity we need to improve ourselves . A disruption to that kind of support can lead us to spiral downwards with psychological pain and a host of mental health issues . Human relationships can serve various purposes beyond reproduction , such as social cohesiveness , mutual understanding and cultural or societal development . Love , as an extension of human connection , is thus not solely biological but also serves social and reality-defining functions .
It is essential to know the key elements of advocacy , whether it is for yourself or others . The first important aspect is understanding the need , then identifying the type of support or action . Third , you must communicate what you have learned effectively to others , in order to bring about that change .
From my personal experience , growing up in a big family taught me the importance of human connection at an early age . Since I was young , I have valued the importance of connection , communication and trust . I believe that people exchange positive energy with one another and build trust . These connections make one feel heard and understood , with a great sense of belonging and attachment .
In my role as a physician , I have always felt that it was my duty to pay back my family , teachers , colleges and communities for all the emotional and developmental investment they put into me . Over the years , I have come to learn that advocacy comes in many shapes and forms , whether it ’ s for yourself , your peers or your patients . Our medical duties do not apply only to external wounds , but mental ones as well . That means giving time to your community to discuss healthy ways of grieving when a prominent member is lost . That means being conscious of a patient ’ s lack of a social network and giving them proper time to discuss their day during visits . That means speaking with your residents in a healthy and appropriate manner to give them a growth mentality and ensuring they are in the right space of mind to treat others . From those simple initial investments that helped me become a physician , I can now keep firing up that chain reaction of support and pay back in ways far more than I ever could before .
Lastly , human connection is influenced by cultural , ethical and global factors , all of which enhance the relationships in our family , community and interconnected world .
Dr . Suleman is a board certified and Distinguished Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association , practicing as an adult psychiatrist at the Robley Rex VA Medical Center . She is the Kentucky Psychiatric Medical Association President and also an Assistant Professor with the UofL Department of Psychiatry .
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