Lonely and Isolated
In a post-COVID-19 world, more people are talking about loneliness and isolation. News stories often focus on young people or men. However, loneliness affects people of all ages and backgrounds, and it is something everyone should care about.
Social isolation and loneliness are related, but different. Social isolation is essentially the lack of participating in social experiences like close relationships, roles in society, or belonging to social groups. Loneliness, on the other hand, is how a person feels inside. Someone can be around others and still feel lonely.
In 2023, the U.S. Surgeon General issued a public health advisory about loneliness and isolation in the United States. These advisories are meant to draw attention to serious health issues that need action. The advisory stated that a lack of social connection can harm your health and shorten your life. Research shows that loneliness and isolation increase the risk of mental illness, memory problems, chronic disease, infections, and early death.
This issue matters not just for individuals, but for the whole country. When many people feel disconnected, it affects communities and society as a whole. Social connection is not just personal—it involves other people. When someone is missing from a group of friends, family, coworkers, or neighbors, their absence is noticed. The impact spreads beyond just one person.
When many people are disconnected from their communities, those communities become weaker. Neighborhoods, workplaces, and social groups lose ideas, energy, and support that those individuals could have shared. Humans are social by nature. Throughout history, people have needed each other to survive. Research shows that meaningful relationships help people stay healthy and thrive.
Communities include many places, such as neighborhoods, schools, workplaces, places of worship, and even online spaces. Meaningful connection looks different for everyone. Today, many daily activities—like shopping online or watching entertainment at home—require little interaction with others. Because of this, people may need to make more effort to connect. While online connections can help, research shows that in-person interactions are especially important for our brains and well-being.
Many fields of study, including health, psychology, economics, and education, have researched loneliness and isolation. Their findings show that these issues increase health care costs, lower school and work performance, reduce community involvement, and harm economic growth and public safety.
The good news is that loneliness can be addressed. Building strong social connections helps people heal and become more resilient. What matters most is not how many connections a person has, but how meaningful and supportive they are. Positive, reliable relationships help people feel valued and supported.
The Surgeon General’s advisory calls for a national effort to strengthen social connection. This includes improving community spaces, creating supportive public policies, involving the health system, improving digital environments, and encouraging a culture of connection. Everyone has a role to play.
Building connections can occur with simple actions. Reach out to someone you haven’t spoken to in a while. Say hello to a neighbor, check in on a coworker, or invite a friend to spend time together. Support local community groups, attend local events, or volunteer your time. Stay connected with community events (go to the Facebook Group What’s Happening Cumberland County, for example) and get to know organizers who want to bring people together in a healthy way. FutureRemix.org is a great resource for family-friendly events and activities. Small actions that build connections can make a big difference—for individuals, families, and the entire community.
The Cumberland County Prosecutor’s Office is working to help build stronger connections and a more resilient community, too. One way it is doing this is through its Community Justice Unit. Recently, staff member Amy Holmes, the Trauma Prevention coordinator, was trained as a Connections Matter facilitator. NJ Connections Matter is a training program that helps professionals understand how strong, supportive relationships can protect people from the impacts of trauma, substance use, mental health challenges, and later involvement with the justice system.
The training shows how positive connections with caring adults, peers, and community support can reduce stress, build resilience, and lead to better outcomes for children, youth, and families. The training also helps participants learn how to recognize risk factors, respond in age-appropriate ways, and strengthen connections through their everyday work. In New Jersey, Connections Matter is typically used by educators, social service workers, and community partners to encourage early help and community-based solutions instead of punishment.
In a short amount of time, Holmes has led two training sessions for county staff and community members, attracting 40 participants.
For further information on such training, contact Amy Holmes of the Community Justice Unit, Cumberland County Prosecutor’s Office at 856-453-0486.
The Cumberland County Mental Health and Addictions Board actively promotes awareness of stigma and the need for public education regarding mental health and addiction. The Board meets monthly, and the public is invited to attend. Refer to the meeting schedule on the Cumberland County website for meeting dates.
The Board is also seeking new members. Interested persons should send a letter of interest and a resume to Melissa Niles, Cumberland County Human Services, 70 W. Broad Street, Bridgeton, NJ 08302 or [email protected]
