Deepening Connection

In May 2023, a new Surgeon General Advisory named loneliness, isolation, and lack of connection an epidemic that is damaging mental, physical, and societal health — and increasing the risk for premature death in the same way that daily smoking does. 

The systems we live in have incentivized fragile, transactional, and time bound relationships that have made it hard to build authentic community, and practice healing and wellness. Our work relationships are often distinct from friendships, our income sources drive day-to-day relationships, and little time is left outside of work to deepen connections and uphold our obligations to friends and family.

Fragile connection affects our health, including our ability to care for others and be cared for both physically and emotionally. It also affects our ability to take social action — on our own behalf and as long-term allies. In turn, how are current systems making it harder to sustain the fabric of solidarities needed to serve justice?

Ultimately, we're asking how work can be a source of deeper connection and how our ideas of work can be less divided from our personal values, families, needs, and life goals. In the spaces between our bifurcated lives, we hope new community can form that is easier to sustain and leaves each of us less vulnerable in our times of need.

“Our epidemic of loneliness and isolation has been an underappreciated public health crisis that has harmed individual and societal health. Our relationships are a source of healing and well-being hiding in plain sight – one that can help us live healthier, more fulfilled, and more productive lives… Given the significant health consequences of loneliness and isolation, we must prioritize building social connection the same way we have prioritized other critical public health issues...” —U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy