Chapter 9: All About Social Health

One chilly Saturday evening in late October 2017, my childhood friends Sarah, James, and Henri met me at my mom's apartment in Highland Park for an evening snack. "Hi, guys!" I greeted my friends. "Hi, Angel!" Sarah greeted back. "I baked some chocolate chip cookies for a snack. Does anybody want some?" "Of course," James replied. "Mmm, chocolate chip cookies are one of my favorite desserts to eat," Henri claimed, biting into a cookie. "Yeah, these are really good," James agreed. "These cookies remind me of some important times during my teenage years," Sarah admitted. "Like when?" I asked. "Oh, like the time I had to baby-sit you and Henri when James was away during his high school ski trip, and also when James came back from his ski trip to throw an end-of-summer house party that we were all invited to," Sarah remembered. "Uh-huh, and do you know why those times were so crucial to your life?" I asked. "No, why?" Sarah asked. "They related to your social health," I replied. "What the heck is social health, Angel?" Sarah asked. "Well, Sarah," I told my friend, "I believe that social health refers to interaction with other people, like your friends and family." "I think that social health refers to two-way communication and reciprocity," James added. "Social health refers to having fun with others," Henri chimed in. "Social health mainly refers to helping people feel better and resolving problems," Sarah pointed out. "Good points, guys," I agreed with my friends, "but social health can relate to a lot more things, such as both verbal and non-verbal communication, building and maintaining relationships, the way we interact with people in our environment, and our awareness of consequences or benefits to our behavior or actions in society." "Wow, I never knew that!" Sarah exclaimed. "Now, finish this sentence: When it comes to social health and communication, I want to work on or know more about..." I hinted. "How to read the emotional response of others during conversation, as well as people's interests, like hanging out," James replied. "I don't know, maybe icebreakers and combatting social anxiety with new people," Sarah told me. "Social appropriateness, such as knowing what information to share and disclosures," Henri pointed out. "Great ideas," I praised my friends. "Now, why else do you think social health is important? For one, it would help me understand people better." "It helps me form healthy relationships and friendships," James added. "It helps me solve others' problems and creates social harmony," Sarah pointed out. "It also prevents me from being isolated and develops companionship," Henri chimed in. "Well, I think social health is important," I told my friends, "because it is beneficial to have a support system in times of need, our social health is connected to our emotional health, social interaction can make us feel acceptance and a sense of belonging, and social isolation can make us more prone to physical and mental health problems." "Sarah, looking after me and Henri when James was gone was an example of a family relationship, and what were the benefits of that?" "Well, you guys were a source of support and strength, offered safety and protection, and provided companionship and help in times of need," Sarah replied. "Okay," I agreed. "Now James, your high school ski trip, as well as the after-party you threw when you got home were both examples of peer relationships, and what were the benefits of those?" "Well, they provided socialization, were a source of support, provided encouragement, helped me feel connected, and taught me new skills," James pointed out. "Good," I agreed. "Now, I understand you might not have experienced public health during your childhood, but Henri, why might this domain fall under the category of social health?" "Well, it involves watching out for others' well-being, disease prevention like being mindful when having a cold in order to limit spreading germs, promoting healthy habits and good decisions, and being a law-abiding citizen," Henri told me. "Now, let's think of some 'everyday' examples of social health," I told my friends. "Two-way communication with people like your peers and family," James replied. "Looking after younger siblings and going on outings," Sarah added. "Spending time with your family," Henri chimed in. "Being mindful of who you associate with, including making good choices and staying safe," I informed everyone. "Anything else?" "Theory of mind." "Outings with family or peers." "Speaking on the phone." "Using social media to connect with family or peers." "Covering your mouth when sneezing around others." "Communicating your needs." "Seeking help from others." "Being supportive." "Obeying the laws and rules." "And finally, accepting responsibility for your actions!" "So, if you have at least one close person you can go to in time of need, you regularly communicate with others, you are respectful of yourself and care about your family, you know how to disagree with others without getting angry or fighting, you can listen to others, you seek support from others when you need it, and you say no if people ask you to do something harmful or wrong, then you have good social health," I told my friends. "Okay then," James agreed with me. "Do you want to know some ways I improve my social health?" I asked. "How do you improve your social health, Angel?" Sarah asked me. "Well Sarah, I am friendly to people like my siblings, I listen to others when they speak, I set aside some time to disconnect from the phone or social media, even if it is just for an hour, I regulate my emotions by not letting anger or frustration get to me, I engage in fun activity with someone, I engage in a random act of kindness, I tell a friend I enjoy their company and am happy they are my friend, and I tell my family how much I care about them," I informed my friends. "Can you guys think of additional ways to improve your social health?" "I have conversations with other people and get out more, sit at the dinner table and converse, do group activities like Pokemon Go, watch comedy movies, and avoid hot topics during discussions," James told me. "I attend outings I am invited to, participate in activities with diverse people, play twitch interactive games with viewers, and play video games with my peers," Henri chimed in. "I attend outings with some more of my best friends Carly Shay and Alex Russo, as well as Carly's parents and Alex's guy friends, do projects with others, text, and have trivia night," Sarah added. "Now, those are great ways to improve social health," I agreed with my friends. "Now, who wants more cookies?" "I do," Henri replied. "I believe that we baked these cookies when James was away," Sarah told me. "No, we just played card games and ate snacks like potato chips, pretzels, and Doritos," I disagreed. "But, we also baked these cookies," Henri remembered. "I also remember serving chocolate chip cookies at my end-of-summer house party, along with pizza, tortilla chips, potato chips, salsa, dip, and soda," James added. "Trying new foods and snacks can also improve one's social health," I informed my friends. My cat, Mattie also came by. I just patted her gently on the head, and my friends liked that. "That is a much better way to treat your cat, and develop good social health with her, Angel," Sarah told me. "Yes, Sarah," I agreed. "It is." Pretty soon, it was time for my friends to leave. "Thanks for a great evening, guys!" I thanked my friends. "You're welcome, Angel," Sarah replied. "Bye, guys!" "Bye!"