Social Inclusion and Mental Health

Introduction:

Social inclusion means that all individuals in the community must have access to the best opportunities to enjoy life and perform well in society and ensure that no one is excluded or left behind. According to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other treaties that constitute the body of international law, social inclusion is the ability of an individual to participate in the community free from discrimination and disadvantage, which is regarded as a basic human right. A society is said to be socially inclusive when everyone feels welcomed, feels like they are part of a broader community, and has the liberty and resources to live their lives at their best.

What Equal Opportunities Are a Part of a Socially Inclusive Society?

The following are the various equal opportunities:

• Equal access to education and training.

• Having a safe, secure home.

• Fair and equal employment.

• Be heard and influence decisions that affect them.

• Connect with friends, family, and the local community.

• Deal with personal crises like ill health.

• Equal access to public transport, healthcare, and other services.

When living in an inclusive society, one feels valued and meaningful irrespective of age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, cultural background, ethnicity, religious beliefs, education, or life experiences. If there is no social inclusion, then social exclusion occurs which refers to lack of access and inability to participate in the community.

What Is the Importance of Social Inclusion?

Social inclusion is essential for an individual’s dignity, opportunity, and security to lead a happy life. It is necessary to raise a voice against any type of social exclusion that prevails in society. Research shows that participation in the community and having people on whom one can rely are the major determinants of health and well-being. Social inclusion is considered to be the most powerful predictor of positive outcomes following traumatic exposure.

Social inclusion has an impact not only on the individual but also on society as a whole. Unemployment due to social exclusion and poor access to education and training can result in poverty and economic downfall.

What Are the Various Dimensions of Social Inclusion?

Social inclusion is multi-dimensional and needs to be targeted from various angles. Starting from low to high, the following are the five dimensions of social inclusion:

• Visibility: To be noticed and recognized.

• Consideration: Ensuring that one’s needs and concerns are taken care of by policymakers.

• Social Interactions: Having access to social interactions.

• Rights: Having the right to work, right to access quality and accessible social services like education, transport, housing, healthcare, and so on, right to participate in the cultural life, and right to act and claim (includes the right to be different).

• Resources to Fully Engage in Society: Social and financial resources are most important for social inclusion. Other aspects like energy, time, spatial distance, and so on also need to be considered.

Who Is More Likely to Be Excluded From Society?

The following are at an increased risk of social exclusion:

• Minority groups in the respective countries.

• Disabled populations.

• Lower-income communities.

• Citizens in jail.

• Women.

• Less literate or illiterate. Education also determines who should be accepted and who must be rejected. Those with degrees are given respect in society.

• Single parents.

About 44 percent of individuals over the age of 65 may have faced exclusion in some way or the other and this is considered to be the highest among all age groups.

What Are the Signs of Social Exclusion?

Before understanding about social inclusion, it is important to understand the signs of social exclusion which are as follows:

• Gossip: It can be distressing to hear when other people talk ill of someone or spread rumors that are not true. Anyone can be a victim of gossip, but it is common among students of the school-going age.

• The Silent Treatment: The silent treatment can be a hurtful way of excluding someone. This is also called stonewalling, ghosting, or shunning. Usually, people refuse to talk with the particular excluded person even if the person makes a move to connect or initiate a conversation with others.

• Bullying: Sometimes, people do not mean to exclude others intentionally, but at times, it can be their primary goal. Bullies often tend to make their targets feel unwelcome, small, and rejected.

• Uninvited: Intentionally excluding a person from a party, meeting, or other gathering is another sign of social exclusion.

Identifying these signs in a few instances does not mean that one is socially excluded. One must not jump to conclusions immediately but rather take some time to gather information before judging the situation.

Why Is Social Inclusion Necessary for Mental Health?

Social inclusion is necessary for mental health because it makes an individual feel valued, accepted, and appreciated. Human beings are social creatures and no one likes being left out. When social exclusion happens, it can take a toll on a person’s mental health. Social exclusion can lower one’s confidence and self-esteem and can result in the development of mental health conditions like anxiety and depression. The feeling of being left out can elevate the feeling of hopelessness and loneliness in individuals.

What Are the Ways to Promote Social Inclusion That Can Help Improve Ones Mental Health?

The following are some of the ways to promote social inclusion:

• Expanding employment opportunities.

• Promoting political participation for individuals with disabilities.

• Encouraging and teaching social inclusion in schools from an early age.

• Everyone should treat their fellow human beings equally irrespective of their physical disabilities.

• The legislative framework has to be reframed to help the needy, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds.

• Employers and educators can ensure that their employees and students have access to educational mental health resources. Employers can also consider including mental health care in their benefits and healthcare packages.

• Volunteer work, support groups, and free mental health programs can be beneficial in times of mental health crisis.

The above-mentioned ways to promote social inclusion are at the community level.

At the individual level, if one feels socially excluded, one can maintain a healthy mental state in the following ways:

• Spending time with friends and family members can minimize the stress associated with social exclusion, and one will feel reminded of the fact that they are not alone.

• Music therapy can help calm the mind as it increases the levels of a chemical called dopamine in the brain, which can boost one’s mood and elevate the feeling of happiness.

• Stocking up feelings within oneself can make things worse. This can be overcome by sharing one’s thoughts and feelings with a trustworthy friend or a family member or by journaling one’s thoughts.

• Hobbies have the potential to reduce stress and loneliness and keep one engaged. Reading, painting, dancing, playing an instrument, and so on are some of the hobbies that one can indulge in.

• One can seek help from a mental health professional if one feels depressed due to social exclusion. Stress management techniques like yoga, meditation, and mindfulness may also help.

Social inclusion can be initiated and followed by anyone and everyone. One can take steps to spread awareness through social media with helpful resources. One can also speak out against mental health stigmas so that everyone in society gets comfortable talking about the topic. The best way to promote social inclusion is by accepting people in one’s community even if they are different. An inclusive mental healthcare system often gets started with a society full of accepting people.

Conclusion:

Social exclusion can be difficult to cope with and can have a detrimental impact on one’s mental health. Only if one feels socially inclusive will they have the confidence and self-esteem to perform better in their lives. But there are many people who are facing such bitter experiences, making their lives miserable, that exert an impact on their mental health. Human beings are social creatures, and feeling socially excluded can result in feelings of depression and loneliness in these individuals. It is the moral duty of every individual to make sure that no one feels left behind. Joining hands together and creating a socially inclusive society will make the world a better place to live in.