The Surgeon General sounds the alarm. Loneliness is a serious health concern.
“Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy Calls for Action to Address Public Health Crisis,
Lays Out Framework for a National Strategy to Advance Social Connection
Today, United States Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy released a new Surgeon General Advisory calling attention to the public health crisis of loneliness, isolation, and lack of connection in our country. Even before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, approximately half of U.S. adults reported experiencing measurable levels of loneliness. Disconnection fundamentally affects our mental, physical, and societal health. In fact, loneliness and isolation increase the risk for individuals to develop mental health challenges in their lives, and lacking connection can increase the risk for premature death to levels comparable to smoking daily. (excerpt from the Surgeon General’s recent advisory. Read the whole article here.)
This Surgeon General’s Advisory lays out a framework for the United States to establish a National Strategy to Advance Social Connection based on six foundational pillars.”
Of the 6 pillars, it is the 6th one that speaks to something that every individual can work on. “Cultivate a Culture of Connection: The informal practices of everyday life (the norms and culture of how we engage one another) significantly influence the relationships we have in our lives. We cannot be successful in the other pillars without a culture of connection.”
So how can we make a difference? What can we do to make someone feel heard or seen? How can we bring a smile to the face of someone who feels forgotten or left out? Well, we can put our crafts to work by sending them to people instead of tucking them away in a box. Yes, I have discussed this before but it seems so much more urgent now as the numbers of people feeling lonely and disconnected is rising at too fast of a rate. Truthfully, any increase in loneliness is too much…that trend should be going down, not up.
There are many ways to share the beautiful cards you make. A favorite use for cards is Cards for Hospitalized Kids. Kids in hospitals across the country get cards that are made by kindergartners and experienced crafters alike. They know they are not forgotten and that someone took the time to send the card that landed in their hands!
Recently, I have discovered two Facebook Groups that do a wonderful job of connecting people who need some cheering up with those who will do their best to generate smiles! Many people craft their own cards but that is NOT a requirement!
From the Heart is the first group. How does it work? There are several iterations of the group but the one I am in focuses on senior citizens. There is a master file of seniors who have been added to the group by family/friends or have been added themselves because they are longing for connection.
There are 3 ways to participate:
First, there is a master birthday list. The list is long and I know I could not possibly send a card to everyone on that list. So I look at the birthdates that match the birthdates of my loved ones. You can send as many or few as you want. Know that every card makes someone smile!! My dear friend’s father was in a rehab facility after a fall. It was his first birthday without his lovely wife. After getting permission from my friend, I submitted his father’s name and address. WOW – he received over 200 cards and was the talk of the facility. They had never seen something like that. Cards decorated every flat surface and even some walls in his room. Friends and family not associated with the group also sent cards. Talk about a connection maker! His spirits were lifted and the attention helped him connect with others who wanted to share the excitement!!
Second, there are random card requests that are posted for a variety of reasons…Loss of a pet, illness, having to give up the keys to their car, missing their family, need for encouragement as they face health issues, etc. The reason is given so people have a good idea of the type of message to write in the cards. Requests are always being added. When you have time, you can read some of the requests and respond to the ones that speak to you!
And finally, you can adopt a senior. While the first two ways to connect with people through From the Heart are likely one time or once year events, adopting a senior is more of a commitment. Those who choose to adopt a senior commit to sending at least one card/letter a month to their senior. Periodically, it is nice to send some goodies…snacks, puzzle books, personal care items.
The second group is The Angel Card Project. The Angel Card Project has similar objectives but sends cards to people of all ages. The focus is sending Christmas cards.
After signing up for both From the Heart and The Angel Card Project at first, I soon felt overwhelmed so I limited my participation to the first group, From the Heart. They run things a bit differently but, as mentioned, the goals of both groups are the same…to make connections with people who are feeling lonely. Since I focus on From the Heart, I don’t have too many details to share about the The Angel Card Project. You can clink the live link above to go to the website. From there you can find the link to the FB group.
Can sending a little card really make a difference? ABSOLUTELY it can!! You read about my friend’s dad and the difference it made for him to receive cards throughout his birthday month.
I am part of a different group that is all card makers and has an optional birthday list for members. I didn’t put my name in for a long time and then one day I thought, “Why not? I have seen how it impacts others to receive cards. But having first hand knowledge of the difference it makes seems like a good idea.” At the very beginning of my birthday month, I received a card with some bits and pieces in it to use to make another card! How fun, I thought, but where did this come from? Ahhh…then I remembered I had put name on the list. Throughout the month I received 8 cards from people I had never met who wished me a Happy Birthday. I got a pretty even mix of cards that were signed and others that had a signed post-it inside the card that I could remove so I could send along the cards to someone else! I LOVED IT. The idea of cards that were just for me was lovely as were the cards that were ready for me to pass along to share the love with others. It was a busy month with a whole lot going on. Those cards showing up in my mailbox randomly really made me smile and forget the current chaos for a few minutes.
So, yes, your cards do make a difference! I now know this from personal experience. Please 1) Check out the links above to see if any of these programs sound like something you’d like to do; 2) Use the FB groups to impact the lives of those around you who are struggling with loneliness and feelings of disconnection. You can do that by submitting names of those who could benefit from card therapy. (Please consider asking permission from the person who would receive the cards or a close family member before submitting names. Some people don’t want their addresses published…but sometimes family members will accept the card being send to their homes and will deliver them to their loved ones.); and 3) Reach out to people in your neighborhoods, church groups and long lost friends who would love to hear from you.
One last note, there are many reasons that someone feels lonely or disconnected. Many do have families who provide good care and attention to their seniors but cannot replace the lost social interactions with friends and the sense of lost independence. Everyone wants to be seen. Everyone wants to be heard. Everyone wants to feel like they matter.
Thank you! I hope you are inspired to reach out to others.