HARTFORD, Conn — Gov. Ned Lamont and Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz have launched a campaign aimed at tackling loneliness and social isolation in Connecticut, the governor's office announced Tuesday.
The campaign is in response to "an epidemic of loneliness and isolation," which the U.S. Surgeon General puts on the same level of a health crisis as "tobacco addiction, AIDS, drunk driving, obesity and gun violence," Bysiewicz said.
The governor's office said the Social Connection Campaign will take multiple steps to address the issue of isolation and loneliness. The steps, as mentioned in their announcement release, will include:
- Facilitating collaboration between state agencies to identify opportunities for greater social connection
- Bringing attention to new and current efforts by state agencies to improve the current state of loneliness and social isolation
- Working with partners outside of the state government, such as federal, municipal, nonprofit, private, grassroot organizations, and the public, to improve on existing efforts and find new ways to foster social connection
Agencies included in the announcement that will participate in the campaign include:
- The Department of Public Health (DPH)
- The Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DHMAS)
- Aging and Disability Services (ADS)
- The Department of Social Services (DSS)
- The Department of Veteran Affairs (DVA)
- The Connecticut State Department of Education (CSDE)
- The Department of Children and Families (DCF)
- The Department of Developmental Services (DDS)
- The Department of Housing (DOH)
- The Commission on Women, Children Seniors, Equity and Opportunity (CWCSEO)
- The CT Collaborative to End Loneliness
DPH Commissioner Manisha Juthani said that multiple health issues are made worse by social isolation.
Some of the health issues as a product of isolation include "chronic diseases, suicide and gun violence, children and adults with special health care needs, pregnant women who do not have access to proper pre-natal care, and the lack of proper eating habits and physical activity," Juthani said.
DMHAS Commissioner Nancy Navaretta said that the effort to improve social connection in Connecticut is "a very important part of recovery from mental health and substance use disorders."
"Outreach to older adults, and other populations who may experience barriers to building social supports, offers a bridge which decreases isolation and encourages emotional well-being," Navaretta said.
Sen. Chris Murphy, who introduced the National Strategy for Social Connection Act in 2023 as per his website, said in a statement Tuesday that "people are more isolated from each other than ever before, and policymakers cannot continue to ignore the epidemic of loneliness."
"For over a year, I’ve been leading a conversation in Congress about how to tackle this crisis, and I’m excited to see Connecticut launch this new effort today. At every level of government, we have a role to play in building a society that makes it easier for everyone to live a happier, healthier, and more fulfilling life. I look forward to finding new ways we can work together to build connection in our communities,” said Murphy.
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