Benefits of community and connection: How to thrive in an age of loneliness

The Sacred Heart Health Ministry Team is working to fight loneliness in the community. Any interested in joining or has questions, please reach out to Donna Bradbury at [email protected] or call (518) 892-8051.

What’s just as dangerous as smoking 15 cigarettes a day? Several risky health behaviors may come to mind, such as riding in a car without a seatbelt, excessive alcohol consumption or use of street drugs. Does loneliness come to mind? According to “Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation: The U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory on the Healing Effects of Social Connection and Community,” published in 2023, chronic and unmitigated loneliness increases the risk for premature death as much as excessive tobacco use.   

Loneliness is a normal human experience which we all have felt from time to time. We don’t even need to be alone to feel lonely; it is enough to feel disconnected or alienated from others. The World Health Organization defines loneliness as the emotional pain resulting from a gap between desired and actual social connections. Isolation is defined as the objective lack of sufficient social connections. 

Loneliness and isolation have been described by some as the defining social challenge of our time. Recent surveys tell us loneliness is widespread and common across all demographics. The degree of impact on youth is particularly shocking. The rate of loneliness among young adults has been ticking upward since the mid-1970s. Some current studies indicate that 79 percent of youth ages 18-22 report feeling lonely.  Indeed, Generation Z — born 1997-2012 (currently age 14-29) — has been dubbed “the loneliest generation.”  It should be noted that individuals from ethnic and racial minority groups, LGBTQ+ individuals, rural residents and those who experience domestic violence, discrimination or marginalization are also at heightened risk. 

Human beings are social by nature and connection is vital to our physical as well as mental health. Social support is one of the strongest predictors of well-being. Social connection is much more than a personal issue. The larger political, economic, technological and cultural environments all influence the availability of opportunities for social connection, for better or for worse. 

Because of the impact of social media, smartphones, artificial intelligence and remote learning, young people have been deprived of opportunities to develop their social connection skills. But like any skill, social connection can be learned and developed. As role models for young people, we can all provide ideas and guidance on how to connect with others. 

Additional good news is that each of us can do something to build connection and community for ourselves, for others and for the communities in which we work, live and play. Studies show that finding meaning and purpose in something larger than yourself is an effective way of feeling connected to others. Specifically, volunteerism has been shown to reduce loneliness and isolation, lengthen life, mitigate depression and overall has a greater impact on well-being than education level, marriage status or income. That’s a powerful impact.

Earlier this year, the Health Ministry Team at Sacred Heart Church in Castleton decided to tackle loneliness and isolation in a positive way. Several team members had noted during recent planning meetings that a number of parishioners were lonely, particularly people who have recently been widowed and those who have difficulty getting out of the house. So, volunteers put together a free community event including an informational session on loneliness, facilitated discussion and a soup dinner. Participants relaxed and enjoyed delicious treats while a member of the Health Ministry Team who is a licensed mental health counselor spoke about loneliness and its impact on health and well-being, and offered solutions. Many members of the audience contributed to the discussion and expressed a commitment to being part of the solution by helping build community. The team surveyed the audience and received overwhelmingly positive feedback as well as suggestions to reach out to parents of school age children and to the youth themselves. Another session is already in the works. 

Are you interested in learning more about the Sacred Heart Health Ministry Team and how they are building connection and community? Please reach out to Donna Bradbury at [email protected] or call (518) 892-8051.