The Loneliness Epidemic

by Marcia Kipp-Adams, LCSW

If you haven’t heard, there has been an uptick of loneliness trending before the COVID19

Epidemic. What is surprising or maybe not so surprising is the latest demographic of people

who are lonely. In May of 2023, Dr. Vivek Murthy (U.S. Surgeon General) produced an advisory, entitled “The U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory on the Healing Effects of Social Connection and Community.”

https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/surgeon-

general-social-connection-advisory.pdf

The most pronounced in the report were young people aged 15-24 who had 70% less social

interaction with their friends.”

This is not so surprising when we see how technology has changed the ways that youth socialize. In Jonathan Haidt’s book, Anxious Generation, he makes a strong case of how the rewiring of our children’s brains have changed with the smart phone (2010).

He cites less outdoor play and the replacement of smart phone platforms, social

media, have contributed toward isolation and mental health challenges. Over

the years, technology has replaced some of the healthier ways to learn

communication and problem-solving skills in our youth. In addition, there is a

strong connection to excessive phone usage and poor sleep hygiene, school

refusal and increased mental health in our youth. It has been documented that

certain platforms and social media sites can be linked to depression, suicides and

other mental health diagnoses that interfere with healthy development of our

youth. As a psychotherapist, it can be difficult to address these mental health

challenges, which are connected to loneliness. How do we foster social

interactions and social connections when some of youth are unwilling to face

their phobia of social anxiety?

Another trend of loneliness and isolation is caregiving. Many adults are

experiencing increased mental health challenges when faced with taking care of

aging parents or a spouse. There is a grief and loss of relationship, with new

dynamics that naturally occur as a caregiver. Many people experience the loss of

friendships and social connectedness in this new role, unless intentional to

address their own needs.

Dr. Murthy reported that as he traveled and met with people, he was hearing

more and more stories about being socially disconnected. When turning to

scientific literature, Dr. Murthy reported that about 1 in 2 adults reported feelings

of isolation, invisibility and insignificance. He saw a trend that included all ages

and demographics before the COVID19 epidemic made an even greater impact.

“Loneliness is far more than just a bad feeling—it harms both individual and

societal health. It is associated with greater risk of cardiovascular disease,

dementia, stroke, depression, anxiety, and premature death. The mortality

impact of being socially disconnected is similar to that caused by smoking up to

15 cigarettes a day, and even greater than that associated

with obesity and physical inactivity.”

In the U.S. Surgeon General’s 2023 report he makes a strong point that “the

harmful consequences of a society that lacks social connection can be felt in our

schools, workplaces, and civic organizations, where performance, productivity,

and engagement are diminished. “The impact of social connection not only

affects individuals, but also the communities they live in.