Why Community Care Is Key to Collective Wellbeing

While self-care has become a buzzword in wellness culture, true wellbeing goes beyond bubble baths and solo meditation sessions. Community care showing up for and supporting those around us is equally vital to our mental and physical health. Unlike the individualistic approach of self-care, community care focuses on collective efforts to create stability, connection, and mutual support.

What Is Community Care?

"Community care is what you put into and receive from the community you have built around yourself, as well as the community you live in," explains Donna Oriowo, PhD, LICSW, a therapist and clinical social worker. It’s about creating dependable relationships, sharing resources, and establishing a safety net through social connections.

According to Ajita Robinson, PhD, a grief and trauma therapist, "The community benefits when each individual is well, whole, and thriving." Community care operates on both micro and macro levels from lending a hand to a friend to organizing community-wide initiatives.

How Self-Care and Community Care Are Connected

The concept of self-care originated in healthcare settings in the 1950s, initially referring to activities that helped individuals maintain autonomy while in institutional care. Over time, this evolved into broader practices that support mental and physical health, such as exercising, setting boundaries, and seeking therapy.

Communities of color, particularly during the 1970s through the activism of the Black Panther Party, emphasized the link between self-care and survival in oppressive environments. The late writer and activist Audre Lorde famously wrote, "Caring for myself is not self-indulgence, it is self-preservation, and that is an act of political warfare," highlighting self-care as a form of resilience for marginalized communities.

While self-care focuses on individual actions, community care takes this further by fostering environments where everyone can thrive. The two practices are not mutually exclusive but rather complement each other to enhance both personal and collective wellbeing.

Examples of Community Care in Action

Community care can be as simple as:

1. On a Micro Level:

   • Cooking or cleaning for a friend who is struggling

   • Offering rides through carpooling

   • Asking for help when needed and reciprocating

   • Getting to know your neighbors

2. On a Macro Level:

   • Organizing community clothing swaps or fridges

   • Participating in mutual aid networks

   • Creating digital spaces for connection and support

   • Volunteering or hosting regular community events

These acts of care build stronger, more resilient communities where everyone feels valued and supported.

The Health Benefits of Community Care

Community care doesn't just feel good it’s also good for your health. Research published in the American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine found that strong social connections can:

• Decrease depressive symptoms

• Help maintain a healthy body mass index (BMI)

• Improve blood sugar control

• Alleviate symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

According to Mental Health America, social connection also boosts happiness, enhances overall health, and may even extend longevity.

Imagining New Systems of Care

Beyond measurable health benefits, community care can help build new systems that address social inequities. Often, marginalized groups are expected to “self-care” their way out of systemic issues, but true wellness requires communal support and action. "We don't always have to wait for organizations or the government to see us and help us. We have the power to help ourselves," says Rayna Smaller, LSW, a therapist and founder of BrownGirl Space.

Community care empowers us to bridge gaps in support systems and create networks where everyone has the chance to thrive. When we care for each other, we strengthen the collective fabric of our society helping ourselves and our communities feel seen, safe, and valued.

If you enjoyed this article, consider sharing it with your network or subscribing to our newsletter for more insights.