Today we’d like to introduce you to Aly Vredenburgh.
Hi Aly, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
The Belonging Lab grew out of both personal loss and research. After losing a close friend to suicide during the pandemic, I realized she didn’t die because she was “mentally ill,” but because she felt profoundly alone. That loss shaped my work, showing me that disconnection is one of the strongest predictors of mental health struggles. While society often frames mental health as an individual issue, the data is clear: loneliness, inequality, and social fragmentation are systemic problems that demand systemic solutions. I founded The Belonging Lab to build suicide prevention strategies rooted in community, connection, and belonging. I want to build a community where no one feels alone, and always has a space to feel they belong.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
One of the biggest challenges has been spreading the word and getting people to show up to events. But those struggles have pushed us to be more creative with outreach, and every step has helped us grow stronger and clearer in our mission.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
What sets The Belonging Lab apart is that we focus on the community side of mental health. We’re not a replacement for therapy or clinical care, we’re an addition to it. While traditional services help people one-on-one, we create spaces and programs that address the root causes of disconnection: loneliness, inequality, and lack of belonging. From art-based workshops to youth-led initiatives, we treat connection as public health infrastructure. By making belonging the centerpiece, we offer a model that strengthens what therapy provides by ensuring people also have community, meaning, and support.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
The most important quality to The Belonging Lab’s success is innovation. We’re constantly reimagining what mental health support can look like outside of traditional therapy, whether it’s through art-based workshops, youth-led programs, or community spaces designed for belonging. That willingness to think differently allows us to reach people in ways that feel human, accessible, and preventative, and it’s what makes our model both unique and impactful.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.thebelonginglabsd.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alyvredenburgh
- Other: https://www.instagram.com/thebelonginglabusa
