The Coalition to End Social Isolation & Loneliness

“Loneliness has always been there, but the pandemic has cleared the way for people to talk about it.” We recently spoke to 6 News WOWT about our efforts to address loneliness nationwide, our 2024 Global Loneliness Awareness Summit, and the Improving Measurements for Loneliness and Isolation Act sponsored by Representative Mike Flood (R-NE) and Pete Ricketts (R-NE). Read the article by Brian Mastre here: https://lnkd.in/gvv4ybyy Learn more about our 2024 Summit and view our Voices of Hill Champions session featuring Representative Flood’s remarks here: https://lnkd.in/gEAJsiKG

Ahead of the release of her book The Joy of Connections on 9/4, The New York Times has shared 5 Ways to Feel More Connected according to the late Dr. Ruth. Read her recommendations here: https://lnkd.in/gw9tpjFH

This week at the DNC, former President Barack Obama spoke on feelings of loneliness due to the current divide and distrust we are facing as a nation. As President Obama highlighted, there is hope - local communities across America are coming together and working on their unmet desire to connect. There is also movement on a national level. Through our collective advocacy efforts, more policymakers are embracing the bipartisan nature of social connection and actively engaging with decision-makers across the aisle. The Coalition remains committed to addressing social isolation and loneliness for healthier, more resilient, and civically engaged communities - communities that can unite us and improve our collective well-being. Last June, we convened bipartisan, bicameral Hill Champions at our Global Loneliness Awareness Summit to share their visions for a more connected future. Hear their ideas and personal stories why this work matters to them here: https://lnkd.in/gEAJsiKG Additionally, learn more about legislation we have supported and our policy priorities here: https://lnkd.in/gHWSUfmw

A recent episode of the Community Possibilities podcast with Dr. Ann W. Price featured Emily Ann Ball and Audrey Itikata of Resilient Georgia. Listen to learn about their work with the organization marking its fifth year of dedication to trauma-informed approaches, child wellness and early brain development here: https://lnkd.in/gC6VM7Wy

Only7Seconds® recently released their Parent’s Guide to Lonely Teenagers. Teens are becoming increasingly lonely across the world with an 80% increase from 2012 to 2018. Whether you're concerned about your teen's loneliness or simply want to help equip them with tools & skillsets for when they encounter loneliness, this guide will help parents understand how to help their teens who are experiencing loneliness. Download the guide here: https://lnkd.in/gDSnVYyt

Our member Wisdo Health, a leading provider of AI-assisted online peer support and social health, shared a groundbreaking study published in JMIR Formative Research. The study highlights the significant impact of Wisdo Health's solution on improving mental health outcomes, addressing equity, and reducing health costs among vulnerable adults with high rates of loneliness and symptomatic mental illness. We applaud Wisdo for their effective innovations in reducing loneliness and isolation. Read their study here: https://lnkd.in/dmprdQV3

Today marks the 34th anniversary of when the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was signed into law. The Coalition to End Social Isolation and Loneliness celebrates this important civil rights law that works to ensure all people with disabilities have the same rights and opportunities as everyone else. In order to foster social connection, we must provide people with disabilities equal opportunities to feel connected and consider how interventions and policies can best facilitate social connection for populations most at-risk of experiencing social isolation and loneliness. Last month during our Global Loneliness Awareness Summit, we were honored to be joined by Haben Girma, one of the WHO’s Social Connection Commissioners and first deaf-blind person to graduate from Harvard Law. Her remarks can be found here: https://lnkd.in/gu4EvKAR We were also joined by Conchita Hernandez, a disability rights advocate who spoke on the need to keep people with disabilities in mind when designing social connection interventions. View her panel here: https://lnkd.in/gJRDKQ2y Celebrate with us by visiting: adaanniversary.org #ADA34 #ThanksToTheADA ADA National Network

Dr. Ruth taught us the power of friendship and connections. Read the tribute by Allison Gilbert published in the The New York Times to learn more about her inspirational legacy. https://lnkd.in/gJ3PFvnW

To support the cultivation of connection, we focused our concurrent panels on three key areas during our 2024 Global Loneliness Awareness Summit! - The Understanding Social Isolation & Loneliness Across Diverse Communities panel featured leading voices serving those with disabilities, older adults, and youth to bring attention to what potential barriers to connection look like among diverse groups. - Where Connection Happens explored the intersections between the built environment, the physical spaces and infrastructure we inhabit and interact with, and social connection. - Bringing Prosocial Values into Practice delved into the final pillar of the U.S. Surgeon General’s framework to advance social connection: building a culture of connection within ourselves, leaders, communities, and institutions. Thank you to all of our expert panelists for sharing your perspectives and inspiring connection through your work! We invite you to view the panels here: - Understanding Social Isolation & Loneliness Across Diverse Communities: https://lnkd.in/gJRDKQ2y - Where Connection Happens: https://lnkd.in/guswqJT7 - Bringing Prosocial Values into Practice: https://lnkd.in/ghi9VBFu The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine David Bohrer Photography / Coalition to End Social Isolation and Loneliness 2024 Global Loneliness Awareness Summit

We were saddened to hear of the passing of Dr. Ruth Westheimer, a renowned therapist and the first honorary Ambassador for Loneliness in the country. Her commitment to helping others navigate relationships and develop connections was inspirational, and we look forward to honoring her legacy through our work. We encourage you to read this poignant tribute written by Allison Gilbert: https://lnkd.in/gGAzGsDe