It might feel more natural to scroll Instagram or dive into another podcast, but here’s something unexpected: talking to strangers might be exactly what your mental health needs.
This Mental Health Awareness Week (starting 12th May), the spotlight is on community — the everyday interactions that remind us we’re part of something bigger. And not just with your inner circle. Even a brief connection with someone you don’t know can lift your spirits, spark a sense of belonging, and help ease symptoms of stress and low mood.
Sounds simple, but for many of us, starting a conversation feels like stepping onto a stage in front of a packed audience with no script. We’re worried it’ll be awkward, forced, or that we won’t be liked. But the science says it’s worth confronting this fear. Multiple studies have found that commuters who chatted with the person next to them reported a higher level of happiness than those who sat in silence—even though they assumed the conversation would be unpleasant.
So if you’re feeling a little disconnected lately, you’re not alone. But the fix might be closer than you think. A smile at the barista in your favourite Westside BID coffee shop. A comment in the lift. A compliment in the queue. These small moments of connection can make a big impact.
Here are 10 small-but-mighty ways to connect more with others this week, all inspired by the vibrant Westside BID area of Birmingham:
- Send a thoughtful note. Skip the usual like or emoji-react. Write a quick message or post a letter to a friend you haven’t seen in a while.
- Find your local crowd. Check out free or low-cost events on Eventbrite—everything from art talks at Ikon Gallery to local comedy nights.
- Try a co-working space. Places like Alpha Works offer more than a desk. They’re hotspots for organic connections over coffee.
- Make that catch-up happen. Instead of texting “let’s catch up soon,” book a table at The Alchemist or Pitcher & Piano and get it in the diary.
- Walk and talk. Take your next 1:1 meeting to the canals or stroll through Centenary Square. Moving side-by-side can make chatting feel easier.
- Plan something playful. Organise a team event—how about a game of darts at O’Neils or kayaking experience at the Roundhouse?
- Grab lunch in Brindleyplace. It’s a buzzing lunchtime spot. Sit outside and strike up a conversation with someone on a nearby bench or deckchair – you might end up playing table tennis together.
- Join a Westside running group. Exercise + socialising = double the mood boost. Try Run Brum Crew or City of Birmingham Striders.
- Volunteer locally. Get involved with the Library of Birmingham or Birmingham Repertory Theatre—both offer community-led events and projects that welcome new faces.
- Start a stranger challenge. Of course we couldn’t come up with this list without this one! Say hello to one new person every day for a week. The first step? Just make eye contact and smile.
This mental health week is your invitation to connect. It doesn’t have to be deep, dramatic, or draining. Sometimes a simple “Hi, how’s your day?” is enough to change the shape of someone else’s—and nurture a sense of community.
References: Epley, N., & Schroeder, J. (2014). Mistakenly seeking solitude. Journal of Experimental Psychology: General, 143(5), 1980–1999. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0037323
Sandstrom, G. M., & Boothby, E. J. (2020). Why do people avoid talking to strangers? Self and Identity, 20(1), 47–71. https://doi.org/10.1080/15298868.2020.1816568
