Education Now Confronting Our Epidemic of Loneliness Education Now explores new research digging into the underlying causes of loneliness and discusses solutions Posted February 28, 2025 By News editor Counseling and Mental Health Disruption and Crises Families and Community Social Emotional Learning Former U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy declared America’s problem with loneliness an epidemic that represents a major public health risk for individuals and society. In this edition of Education Now, we dig into new research investigating the underlying causes of the problem, including the relationship between mental health challenges and loneliness, and share ideas for beating the problem on college campuses and in many other communities. Host: Josephine Kim, Senior Lecturer on Education and Faculty Director, School Counseling Licensure Pathway, Harvard Graduate School of EducationGuests:Milena Batanova, Director of Research and Evaluation, Making Caring Common, HGSEAllison Gilbert, Journalist & Author, "The Joy of Connections"Eric Wood, Director, Counseling and Mental Health, Texas Christian University (TCU); and Executive Board Member, Association for University and College Counseling Center Directors Key Takeaways: There are creative and low-cost ways to create social infrastructure. On colleges campuses, leaders should be intentional about giving students opportunities to connect and create community with one another. Structured peer support groups can provide students with ways to interact with other students who are facing similar challenges or struggles.Volunteering and helping other people can lead to a sense of purpose and meaning in our lives and can create connections that relieve loneliness. Look for opportunities that are personally meaningful to you and others in your community.Talking about the problem of loneliness can reduce shame and stigma. Few people want to openly admit to feeling a lack of connection with those around them. While loneliness is an individual experience, promoting a caring culture can help students, parents, and others feel seen and supported. Resources: Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation - The U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory on the Healing Effects of Social Connection and Community What is Causing Our Epidemic of Loneliness and How Can We Fix It? - Usable Knowledge Loneliness in America: Just the Tip of the Iceberg? - Making Caring Common Project Loneliness in America - Making Caring Common Project On Edge: Understanding and Preventing Young Adults’ Mental Health Challenges - Making Caring Common Project How to support the mental health of teens in your life - Making Caring Common Project The Joy of Connections A New Narrative for College Mental Health - TCU Counseling and Mental Health Center Peer Support Communities at TCU Applying The Surgeon General’s Parting Prescription To Colleges - Forbes Dr. Vivek Murthy's Parting Prescription for America Loneliness, Resilience, and Mental Health - A Call to Action Foundation for Social Connection Global Initiative on Loneliness and Connection Education Now A webinar and newsletter series to shape new approaches to challenges in education Explore All Articles Related Articles Usable Knowledge The Critical Link Between Parent and Teen Mental Health A new report shows a strong connection between parent and adolescent mental health, offers prevention strategies for teen anxiety and depression News Joy, Healing, and Flourishing in Urban Schools How focusing on students' strengths, dreams, and aspirations can create transformative learning environments — even with challenging circumstances Education Now Hope and Resilience in Childhood A discussion of concrete ways to support children and adults in developing their capacities to weather the challenges brought on by the pandemic.