Social Capital: A mechanism to buffer Stress for Sustainability of Mental Health

The contemporary cosmopolitan society is fast-paced and self-absorbed. It is full of stress in various forms; physical, environmental, socio economic and psychological. The World Health Organization rightly declared that stress has become a worldwide epidemic that affects the physiology of the body. In extreme cases, stress could lead to disability, anxiety disorders, sexual dysfunction, depression and suicide. These complications of extreme stress have profound consequence on mental health, an important component of the Sustainable Development Goals. Hence, the need to address mechanisms for coping with stress. This medico- social discourse, focuses on social capital as a mechanism to buffer stress for sustainability of mental health. Social capital is conceptualized as the connections, networks and relationships among people. The discourse is hinged on the social capital and social network theories. It also elucidates the magnitude and impact of stress as well as social capital, a non-pharmacological mechanism to buffer stress. The discourse utilizes WHO mental health statistics (2023), Gallup Stress Statistics (2021/2022) and examines existing scholarly socio scientific research papers. The paper reechoes the value of human relationships and the African “Spirit of Ubuntu” in co-building a new eco social world that leaves no one behind. It recommends the enhancement of social capital through initiatives that fortifies solidarity and empathy. The paper elucidates Social Work as formal source of social capital. It also stresses the need to be cautious in the establishment of relationships, as social capital could be negatively utilized.