Social cohesion is understood as the capacity of a society to generate bonds of belonging and solidarity among its members, promoting the active inclusion of all people in community life. Social cohesion is associated with the capacity of society to guarantee well-being and social justice, minimizing and/or eliminating marginalization and inequalities between social groups, territories and people.
Social cohesion has a significant protective role in mental health. It can mitigate the effects of stressful life events that affect the mental health of people of all ages. It contributes to significantly reducing the negative impact on mental health due to income deprivation, revealing the importance of strengthening community ties and social representation to improve mental well-being.
The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) calls for promoting social cohesion by strengthening the active involvement of people in community life and collective decisions, expanding their impact and promoting the exchange of experiences, challenges and achievements in building healthier, more equitable and cohesive societies in the Americas.
