Team participation proven to improve mental health

Nearly half of the population is not involved in groups or clubs, and 58% have felt excluded in the past year, while data shows 3.83 million people are chronically lonely

Research from Bupa shows belonging to a team can significantly improve mental health and overall happiness. Individuals engaging in sports, hobby-based clubs, online communities, and religious or community groups are 24% more likely to report feeling happy.

This rises to 80% in individuals with disabilities, with 23% saying belonging to a community has improved their confidence and 33% reporting they are in good mental health.

Membership in one or more communities has several mental health benefits: respondents felt happier (30%), more confident (26%), more included in society (36%), sociable (35%) and valued (34%). 22% said belonging to a team gave them a better support network, and 13% said it helped with getting through a difficult time.

“Being part of a community or team with common interests or goals has a remarkable positive impact on both physical and mental health,” said Dr Naomi Humber, Head of Mental Wellbeing at Bupa. “Group participation and inclusion promotes a sense of belonging and social connection, creating a supportive environment that encourages healthy behaviours and motivates individuals to achieve their personal, professional and health goals.”

However, 44% of the population is not involved in groups or clubs, and 58% have felt excluded in the past year. People with a disability are almost twice as likely to report poor mental health; 72% felt excluded at work, in the community, or in daily life and 46% of disabled people report feeling isolated, leading to high levels of loneliness, anxiety and sadness.

According to ONS data, 3.83 million people are chronically lonely, 500,000 more than in the first year of the pandemic, while 7.1% of the population say they are ‘always’ or ‘often’ lonely, compared to 6% in the first year of the pandemic.

“Research suggests that companionship, work-life balance, and good communication are linked to reduced loneliness.”

"Loneliness is often more about the quality of relationships rather than just being around people. And the same is true at work; contact with work colleagues alone is not enough to prevent loneliness,” said Robin Hewings, Programme Director of the Campaign to End Loneliness. “What matters is the quality of our relationships with colleagues. Research suggests that companionship, work-life balance, and good communication are linked to reduced loneliness.”

People aged 16–29 are twice as likely to be chronically lonely than those over 70, with women (7.67%) significantly more likely to be affected than men (6.33%). People with a physical or mental health diagnosis are over three times more likely to be lonely: 11.17% compared to 3.25% of people without a diagnosis.

“Right now, we have a problem with 20-somethings going to their first job after graduating, usually in a big city where they know no one,” explained Robin Dunbar, Professor of Evolutionary Psychology at the University of Oxford. “The result is a downward spiral into loneliness, depression and ill health. Everyone from the employer, the work colleagues and the person concerned loses.”

Bupa is calling for greater inclusion in society, at work and in sports, and aims to highlight the importance of inclusion in a group or team to support better physical and mental health and reach personal goals.

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