Boy sits and looks lonely

Loneliness is far more than just a bad feeling—it harms both individual and societal health.

Loneliness is reaching epidemic levels – across generations, geographies, and cultures. More people are feeling lonely, isolated, and disconnected with stark physical and emotional consequences: Feelings of loneliness take place within marriages, within families, within communities, and inside school classrooms.

As part of UHD's series of events for its 50th anniversary year, vitalvoices is presenting "Loneliness: An Untold Epidemic Story" at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 4, in C100 at the College of Public Service. This conversation with Dr. Matthew Lee Smith of Texas A&M School of Public Health and Dr. Luming Li of The Harris Center for Mental Health and IDD will be centered on the U.S. Surgeon General's 2023 report "Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation."

Additionally, Dr. Smith will discuss national initiatives to foster social connection and societal cohesion as well as research about innovative strategies to reduce social disconnectedness. Dr. Li will bring it home and talk about the issue as it relates to our own backyard here in the Houston/Harris County area.

This event is in-person and via Zoom. Register to attend.