What Is Social Isolation?
The Defining Terms
Social isolation and loneliness are both terms that denote a degree of social disconnection. Social isolation is an objective state marked by few or infrequent social contacts. Loneliness is the subjective and distressing feeling of social isolation, often defined as the discrepancy between actual and desired level of social connection.
Social Isolation has become a serious problem in our society.
St. Basil’s Community Kitchen would like to provide a place for those struggling with social isolation & loneliness, but we need your help! The renovation of the kitchen is quite a ways from being completed and we need your help to get it done! We are doing all we can to get it up and running by Dec. 25, 2023, but even if we do not have the building renovation finished by December 25th, we plan to have the meal in the shambles of the building.
Please support us in our effort to get St. Basil’s up and running. Spread word of the project! Pray! Donate!
Now let us take a look at how we and our society are affected by social isolation and loneliness, and what is being said about it.
The Surgeon General of the U.S. as well as the rest of the medical field have recognized that this is an increasing problem in our society and they have called on us to do our part in addressing it, by developing healthy relationships with those around us and strengthening our communities through in-person interactions. Let’s see what they have to say about Social Isolation!
Fueling the mental health crisis is the loneliness epidemic.
Some of the causes are:
A lack of social support and infrequent meaningful social interactions
Negative feelings about one’s personal relationships
- Loneliness in America, 2018 survey by Cigna
“Unlike loneliness, data on several markers of social isolation are routinely collected in the US Census, allowing for confidence in prevalence rates and tracking over time. For example, more than a quarter of the US population lives alone, and average household size is shrinking. Fewer Americans are getting married, having children, and participating in social activities such as religion and volunteering than in previous decades. Further, nationally representative studies indicate that the average size and diversity of roles within core social networks (spouse, friend, coworker, acquaintance, and so forth) have declined.”
-healthaffairs.org
“Hawkley points to evidence linking perceived social isolation with adverse health consequences including depression, poor sleep quality, impaired executive function, accelerated cognitive decline, poor cardiovascular function and impaired immunity at every stage of life.”
— American Psychological Association
“Loneliness and social isolation are widespread problems in the United States.
Surveys suggest that 1 in 3 US adults aged 45 and older feel lonely.1
Even though technology connects us now more than ever, it can also disconnect us from the people around us, leading to feelings of loneliness.
Loneliness and social isolation can do more harm to our health than we realize. They can increase the risk of heart disease, depression, and cognitive decline (worsening memory loss).2-8”
— CDC, The Power of Connection
Loneliness and isolation represent profound threats to our health and well-being. But we have the power to respond. By taking small steps every day to strengthen our relationships, and by supporting community efforts to rebuild social connection, we can rise to meet this moment together. We can build lives and communities that are healthier and happier. And we can ensure our country and the world are better poised than ever to take on the challenges that lay ahead. Our future depends on what we do today
~Vivek H. Murthy, M.D., M.B.A.
19th and 21st Surgeon General of the United States Vice Admiral, United States Public Health Service
Social connection— the structure, function, and quality of our relationships with others—is a critical and underappreciated contributor to individual and population health, community safety, resilience, and prosperity. However, far too many Americans lack social connection in one or more ways
~U.S. Surgeon General, Vivek Murthy
Whether it be by volunteering, picking up a new hobby, or some other activity, intentionally engaging in one’s community can promote social connection and resiliency in aging populations. In fact, a global study by Nextdoor found that knowing as few as six neighbors reduced the likelihood of feeling lonely, and is linked to lower rates of depression and social anxiety.
— National Association on Ageing
Modern Technology and Social Media are increasing our lack of in-person interaction, with the result of increased loneliness and social isolation
Many experts believe that having constant access to technology, specifically smartphones, can prevent us from making personal connections. For many people, it’s become a habit to reach for a smartphone any time they have a free moment, and this behavior could be making our loneliness worse. A University of Arizona study supported this idea, finding that smartphone dependence predicted a higher rate of loneliness and depression in young adults.
Experts also confirmed that too much social media usage can cause emotional harm. A 2017 study found that heavy social media users were three times more likely to feel socially isolated than casual users. Social media can also make people feel like they’re missing out on meaningful social events, leading to feelings of exclusion, stress, and insecurity.
Social isolation is a serious problem and needs to be addressed with love and gentleness. Though medical and psychological interventions may be needed, we understand that the greatest healing that can come to any person in any situation and with any malady is Christ Jesus, the second Person of the Holy Trinity. St. Basil’s will apply the healing balm of Christian love and spiritual healing that the Orthodox Church has learned from Her Head, Christ Jesus our Lord. We will unapologetically share the love of Christ and the guidance of His Bride, the Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church, to anyone who asks for it.
Jesus said, “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life”. “My burden is easy and My yoke is light. . .”
Please come and taste and see the goodness of the Lord. He can heal all of the broken-hearted, the lonely, the soul crushed under the weight of sin. He is Light and Life.
If you need anything or have any questions, feel free to call. Ask for Steven at (417) 635-4333.
We will do our best to help. God be with you; and may your soul find true peace. . . the peace that passes understanding.