The Silent Epidemic: Confronting the Pandemic of Loneliness

The last time we heard the word pandemic, it conjures up images of gloves, masks, hoarding toilet paper, and bottled water. There is a flutter we may feel inside us when thinking about living through a pandemic. Yet I wonder if you feel the same flutter when you hear about the pandemic that has the potential to kill 30% of adults and 25% of teenagers. This raging pandemic is that of loneliness. Loneliness is sweeping the nation, with a recent Gallup study finding that 25% of respondents aged 15-18 said they were very lonely and 30% of adults stating they are in a state of loneliness on a weekly basis. This becomes a major concern when loneliness is associated with a significantly increased mortality risk of 27% compared with non-lonely individuals.

There are many great qualities that come with neurodivergence, but there are also some challenges. The way we think and act could lead to those challenges. The journal of Neuropsychopharmacology states that brain changes associated with ADHD, depression, and anxiety can lead to feelings of prolonged loneliness because people tend to withdraw from social interactions when they have a low mood or other symptoms. Neurodivergency can set us apart, whether it’s the hyperactivity of jumping out of trees when friends are playing catch or driving too fast on the highway while friends yell to slow down. It could be the inattentiveness of friends not wanting to share stories since those that are neurodivergent don’t seem to be listening, or perhaps missing out on the party since they were spacing out when they were told the day and time.

The answer to this pandemic is not a vaccine and for sure is not isolation. The answer lies in your hands.  You can be the one to save lives by inviting a friend out for coffee or even messaging them to check in and let them know someone is thinking about them. As a parent, you can be attentive to the other children in your kid's class and make a play date with the kid who seems to be playing by themselves. As a teenager, know that one in four of your classmates feels the same way. Look around your classroom and realize that the person on either side of you, in front, or in back is feeling lonely. Think about the power that you hold. Just asking someone to have lunch together or go to the mall after school can save their lives.

The power to end this pandemic is in your hands.