Is Self-Care Preventing Us From Solving The Loneliness Epidemic?

The loneliness epidemic has been compared to the opioid crisis, to a daily smoking habit, and worse than obesity in terms of the negative impact on our mental and physical health. Last month, U.S. Surgeon General Vivek H. Murthy pointed out, “Loneliness is more than just a bad feeling. When people are socially disconnected, their risk of anxiety and depression increases. So does their risk of heart disease (29 percent), dementia (50 percent), and stroke (32 percent).”

Jen DaSilva, president of creative agency Berlin Cameron, understands this issue firsthand. As an only child who searched for connection and community her entire life, it wasn’t until she became a new mother and joined a breastfeeding support group that led her to finally find a sense of belonging.