State Launches Campaign to Combat Loneliness, Isolation
/Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz and Governor Ned Lamont, with agency commissioners and advocates, have announced the launch of a new campaign focused on combatting loneliness and social isolation in Connecticut.
“As a nation and a state, we are seeing an epidemic of loneliness and isolation. The health impacts of this epidemic are very real – they are so significant and so widespread that the U.S. Surgeon General has put social isolation and loneliness on the same level as public health crises like tobacco addiction, AIDS, drunk driving, obesity, and gun violence.” said Lt. Governor Bysiewicz. “We've seen recent efforts emerging to address this crisis, and today marks an important next step in exploring how we, as a state, can best address this issue.”
Inspired by the work of U.S. Senator Chris Murphy and a recent advisory from the U.S. Surgeon General, the Social Connection Campaign will:
Facilitate collaboration on an inter-agency basis to identify opportunities to foster greater social connection.
Raise awareness of existing and new efforts by State Agencies that improve social connection.
Work with partners beyond state government (federal, municipal, nonprofit, private, grassroots orgs and the public) to identify gaps, opportunities, and ideas related to improving social connection.
“The Connecticut Department of Public Health is proud to be a part of the Social Connection Campaign and its mission of addressing the concerns of loneliness and isolation,” said Department of Public Health (DPH) Commissioner Manisha Juthani, MD. “There are several public health issues that are exacerbated by isolation. Some of these include chronic diseases, suicide and gun violence, children and adults with special health care needs, pregnant women who do not have access to proper pre-natal care, and the lack of proper eating habits and physical activity.”
“Fostering social connections and a sense of meaningful participation in the community is a very important part of recovery from mental health and substance use disorders. DMHAS has a strong tradition of focusing on social connectedness; creating opportunities for relationship building through peer supports, social rehabilitation programs, as well as hotlines and warmlines. Outreach to older adults, and other populations who may experience barriers to building social supports, offers a bridge which decreases isolation and encourages emotional well-being,” said Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) Commissioner Nancy Navarretta.
“We know that older adults and people with disabilities face disproportionate barriers to connecting with others,” said Aging and Disability Services (ADS) Commissioner Amy Porter. “We commend the Lieutenant Governor for establishing a Social Connection Campaign to establish increased focus on and fortify social connection and community in an equitable manner across Connecticut.”
Other agencies and groups that will participate in the campaign include: the Department of Developmental Services (DDS), the Department of Housing (DOH), the Commission on Women, Children, Seniors, Equity, and Opportunity (CWCSEO), and the CT Collaborative to End Loneliness.
The state initiative follows the establishment last year of the CT Collaborative to End Loneliness, a private sector initiative established in response to the need for leadership & coordination among numerous organizations in Connecticut to address the public health crisis of loneliness and to educate and inform residents about the importance of social connectedness to their health.
The Collaborative convener is For All Ages, a CT 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to connecting the generations and inspiring action to end loneliness, reduce ageism, and improve mental, physical, and social health. Led by Deb Bibbons, For All Ages has established a 10-member cross-sector steering committee with representatives of public and private sector organizations, including the President and CEO of the Duncaster Retirement Community, Kelly Papa; University of Saint Joseph president Rhona Free, and Luis Perez, President & CEO of Mental Health CT.
The organization points out that “recent studies show that more than 60% of Americans are feeling lonely. Recognizing that loneliness can lead to a 26% increased risk of premature all-cause mortality,” adding that “the federal government estimates that someone dies from conditions resulting from loneliness every three minutes.”
The Collaborative will be hosting free events beginning later this month through April. Each event will include a panel discussion by residents with lived experience and experts in the field, followed by facilitated interactive conversations among attendees. Residents of all ages, including students, municipal and state leaders, employers, and older adults, are encouraged to attend. Events are scheduled in Torrington (Feb.21), West Hartford (Feb. 28), Norwich (March 13), New Haven (March 22), Danbury (April 10) and Trumbull (April 24).
