Philadelphians with mental illness want to work, pray, date and socialize just like everyone else – here’s how creating more inclusive communities is good for public health

Creating inclusive communities means not just offering services to people with serious mental illness, but changing negative beliefs and behaviors toward them.

Mark Salzer, Professor of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Temple University • conversation
July 3, 2025 ~8 min

Being alone has its benefits − a psychologist flips the script on the ‘loneliness epidemic’

Americans are spending more of their time alone. Contrary to national fears of a loneliness crisis, many of them find solitude essential for their well-being.

Virginia Thomas, Assistant Professor of Psychology, Middlebury • conversation
April 4, 2025 ~9 min


Loneliness can kill, and new research shows middle-aged Americans are particularly vulnerable

The need to connect is fundamental. But diminishing social ties and community support are contributing to the loneliness epidemic.

Frank J. Infurna, Associate Professor of Psychology, Arizona State University • conversation
April 5, 2024 ~5 min

Social isolation and loneliness linked to poor health – our study could help explain why

Inflammation could be the missing puzzle piece.

Line Jee Hartmann Rasmussen, Senior researcher of Psychology and Neuroscience, Duke University • conversation
Dec. 13, 2023 ~6 min

Online gaming communities could provide a lifeline for isolated young men − new research

For young men who struggle with mental health or lack connections in real life, chat and community features of online games can be a source of support.

Tyler Prochnow, Assistant Professor of Health & Kinesiology, Texas A&M University • conversation
Aug. 22, 2023 ~5 min

Kick up your heels – ballroom dancing offers benefits to the aging brain and could help stave off dementia

Dancing requires physical, social and cognitive engagement and, as a result, it may bolster a wide network of brain regions.

Helena Blumen, Associate Professor of Medicine and Neurology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine • conversation
Jan. 3, 2023 ~5 min

This course teaches students how to connect with older adults to forge intergenerational bonds and help alleviate loneliness and isolation

Social isolation and loneliness in aging adults have been linked to numerous physical and mental health ailments. Teaching students how to listen deeply to older people can lessen those effects.

Jeremy Holloway, Assistant Professor of Geriatric Education, University of North Dakota • conversation
Dec. 20, 2022 ~7 min

Socially isolated people have differently wired brains and poorer cognition – new research

Socially isolated people have poorer cognition, including in memory and reaction time.

Jianfeng Feng, Professor of Science and Technology for Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Fudan University • conversation
June 16, 2022 ~8 min


Gun violence soared during the COVID-19 pandemic, a new study finds – but the reasons why are complex

The pandemic brought about a sharp rise in mental health concerns, deep unemployment and an unprecedented amount of social isolation – a potentially deadly combination alongside rising gun sales.

Jennifer McCall-Hosenfeld, Associate Professor of Medicine, Penn State • conversation
Nov. 16, 2021 ~4 min

Social media gives support to LGBTQ youth when in-person communities are lacking

While online communities may not fully address the isolation LGBTQ youth face in-person, they can serve as an important source of social support and a springboard for civic engagement.

Linda Charmaraman, Director of Youth, Media & Wellbeing Research Lab, Wellesley College • conversation
Sept. 28, 2021 ~6 min

/

3