The Importance of Community Engagement Read Time: 2 min 17 sec The coronavirus outbreak has created a “new normal” in our society. For many Americans, our homes have become our offices, we make fewer trips to the grocery store, avoid public places and have much less connection to our community than we once did. Despite our best intentions, our social interactions may have changed significantly. More and more conversations, meetings and celebrations are taking place through virtual platforms. Being an active community member is vital because humans are social and need personal connection. A sense of community can provide support, purpose, and a feeling of belonging. These elements are critical to our mental health – especially when we may already be experiencing symptoms of loneliness and isolation. During this time, it is important to find new ways to stay connected [...]