MENTAL HEALTH MATTERS: Good relationships for a long life

It's a pretty well-known fact that good social relationships are important for good mental health. But did you know that good social relationships support good physical health as well?

A few years ago, a study was published which suggested that good social relationships are startlingly important to long life ( "Social Relationships and Mortality Risk: A Meta-analytic Review," Holt-Lunstad et al). In fact, having a strong network of good friends and family members may be just as important to survival as not smoking, and even more influential than other factors such as diet and exercise.

In the world of mental health care, this kind of research is especially compelling. We already know that people with severe mental illness die on average 25 years younger than the general population. We also know that mental illness a

nd social isolation often go hand-in-hand. Therefore, as we move towards treating mind and body together, we must understand that supporting a person's efforts to make new friends may be just as important to her health as helping her lose weight or quit smoking.

All of us, whether we have mental illness or not, probably would do well to take stock of our social networks.

Our American way of life can be hectic and complicated, with little time for old-fashioned activities like lunch dates and neighborhood potluck suppers. In his 2000 book "Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of American Community," Robert D. Putnam provides an overwhelming amount of data showing how Americans have become less involved with other people in their communities. Club membership and church attendance are down; families eat dinner together less often; friends are less likely to get together for games of cards.

Additionally, the myriad technologies that "make life easier" every day may actually stand between us and the people in our lives. Published before the advent of tablet computers and smartphone, "Bowling Alone" faults television for much of Americans' social isolation. Nowadays we are surrounded by even more glowing screens that tempt us away from real human contact.

As far as I know, there is no published research indicating that spending less time with your smartphone leads to longer life. However, it stands to reason that it is worthwhile to turn off the TV/tablet/phone and spend time with the people you care about most. It certainly can't hurt. And it's fun.

What better time to foster better relationships than now, when the days are longer and warmer and the great outdoors calls us to come outside and have a good time? Have some friends over this weekend. It's good for your health.

Betsy Reed is the Quality Assurance and PR Coordinator for West Michigan Community Mental Health.