Reaction to article “Loneliness Harms Health”

Hey Web friends. I recently read an article called “Loneliness Harms Health by Rick Nauert, PhD you can read it yourselves by following this link http://psychcentral.com/news/2008/09/05/loneliness-harms-health/2882.html

I wanted to say that since the beginning of my recovery I have always found the issue of loneliness to be a key and interesting topic. I think the article explores an interesting phenomena of societal structures breaking down and causing disconnection. Man I can really relate to this. My profound sense of loneliness at Penn State main campus my freshmen year in college always was a paradox to me. Here I am surrounded by thousands of people all pursuing education and I still feel disconnected and lonely. The move to Penn State had caused a dramatic change in my support system. It wasn’t untill I found a different way of relating to people through my volunteer experience at an organization called Compeer that I learned how to build a support system. Compeer taught me to relate to the whole individual by matching me up in a friendship with another individual with mental health challenges. I think the last statement in the article sums up my experience best. “Lonely people feel a hunger.” “The key is to realize that the solution lies not in being fed, but in cooking for and enjoying a meal with others.” I have always said in my work as a facilitator that the greatest lesson I have learned about loneliness is that if you want support be a support to another. Let me know what you think.

Eric