Strengthening Community Ties by Bringing Together Individuals

Identifying the qualities of a good neighbor can be challenging, yet the essence of neighborliness was brought to life at inaugural Good Neighbor Day of Action celebrations held across the Commonwealth. Community members gathered to share stories of how neighbors have positively impacted their lives, to envision future opportunities for connection, and participate in community activities to foster connection.

On September 1, Governor Maura Healey proclaimed September 28 as Good Neighbor Day of Action in Massachusetts. This day has roots across the nation, with its origins tracing back to rural Montana in 1971, when Becky Mattson noticed her aging mother’s dwindling social circle. This issue remains prevalent today, with Surgeon General Vivek Murthy’s 2023 advisory calling attention to the public health crisis of loneliness, isolation, and lack of connection in the United States.

The advisory describes how disconnection fundamentally affects our mental, physical, and societal health; how loneliness and isolation increase the risk for individuals to develop mental health challenges; and how lacking connection can increase the risk for premature death to levels comparable to smoking daily. This underscores the need to assess and address social connectedness in mental health policy and practice.

The Cambridge event was held at the Cambridge Public Library in collaboration with several community partners who share a commitment to social connectivity including Somerville Cambridge Elder Services, Cambridge Council on Aging, The Legacy Project, Action for Boston Community Development, the Living Well Network, ABCD/Foster Grandparents, and FriendshipWorks. The Northampton event was held in collaboration with Trauma Informed Hampshire County, The Consortium, the MA Coalition to Build Community and End Loneliness, and Northampton Recovery Center.