CT Collaborative to End Loneliness

08/06/2025

🌱 Big things are brewing behind the scenes.

This summer, the CCEL Patient Loneliness/Healthcare Provider workgroup is moving full speed ahead with UConn Schools of Medicine and Dental Medicine students leading the charge.

In collaboration with the Emergency Department at John Dempsey Hospital, these students have identified a pilot group of patients and are preparing to launch an innovative program that pairs medical students with patients for ongoing connection and support.

We’re grateful to Dr. Adam Perrin for his thoughtful guidance in helping bring this program to life within UConn Health.

For All Ages, convener of the CT Collaborative to End Loneliness, is proud to serve as an advisor on this initiative, with generous support from the Law Stroud Foundation.

We look forward to sharing progress on this meaningful initiative.

More to come this fall - stay tuned! 🌿

07/07/2025

Loneliness is more than a feeling - it can fuel deep emotional pain and even thoughts of su***de. That’s why access to support matters.

We’re grateful for the , which offers connection and help for anyone struggling with loneliness, anxiety, depression, or suicidal thoughts.

When you’re feeling overwhelmed, reach out. You are not alone. 💚

06/30/2025

🌍 A powerful step forward for global health!

The World Health Organization (WHO)’s Commission on Social Connection has just released its groundbreaking report: From Loneliness to Social Connection: Charting a Path to Healthier Societies.

This global milestone affirms what everyone engaged with The CT Collaborative to End Loneliness knows well: human connection is vital to our health, well-being, and resilience as communities.

, we invite you to read and share this important new resource. It pulls together the latest research and offers clear steps toward building a more connected world.

👏 Huge congratulations to the incredible WHO team behind this work - and to everyone working to end loneliness and strengthen connection.

📖 Read the report here: https://www.who.int/groups/commission-on-social-connection/report/

This landmark report from the WHO Commission on Social Connection highlights that social isolation and loneliness are widespread, with serious but under-recognized impacts on health, well-being, and society. Drawing on the latest evidence, the report makes a compelling case for urgent action.

06/18/2025

For All Ages, the convener of the CT Collaborative to End Loneliness, published a user-friendly resource guide on the protective value of social connection against dementia and other chronic illnesses.

, we invite you to download and read it.

Our New Resource Guide is Here - Learn How Connection Can Protect Against Dementia!

, in honor of Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month, we’re sharing our first guide:
Social Connection: A Protective Factor Against Dementia & Other Serious Illness

Inside, you'll find:
✅ Research on how loneliness impacts dementia risk
✅ The protective power of strong social ties
✅ Actionable tips to build connection

Ready to take action for your brain health?
👉 Visit www.forallages.org/resource-guides, enter your email, and download your free copy today!

06/12/2025

Loneliness is a public health crisis - but in Connecticut, we’re taking action.

, as the convener of the Connecticut Collaborative to End Loneliness, For All Ages is proud to work alongside Mental Health Connecticut and other committed partners to build a more connected and compassionate state.

In a powerful new blog post, MHC shares how the Collaborative is mapping resources, shaping policy, centering lived experience, and educating the public - all to help people feel seen, supported, and connected.

💬 “Connection is not a luxury; it’s a lifeline.”

A heartfelt thank you to Mental Health Connecticut and to CEO Luis Perez, a valued member of the Collaborative’s Steering Committee, for his ongoing leadership and commitment to this work.

➡️ Read the full post and explore how you can get involved at https://www.mhconn.org/2025/06/10/how-the-ct-collaborative-to-end-loneliness-is-impacting-lives/

Loneliness isn’t just a fleeting feeling; it’s a growing public health crisis. In Connecticut and across the nation, an increasing number of people are reporting feelings of isolation, disconnection, and […]

06/04/2025

, are you a professional supporting adults with developmental disabilities in Connecticut? We want to hear from you! 💬

Your insights can help shape more inclusive, connected communities - and as a thank-you, you’ll be entered into a drawing to win a $40 Amazon gift card. 🎁

✅ Complete the brief questionnaire by June 20, 2025
🎉 Winner drawn on June 30 and notified July 1

Your voice matters. Visit endlonelinessCT.org/inclusive-connection to get started!

05/30/2025

💛 gratitude!

Huge thanks to Mary Swank and Valley Community Baptist Church for partnering with us to host an in-person Pathways for Inclusive Connection session.

We listened, we learned, and we connected - with adults with developmental disabilities and their caregivers - about friendship, support, and belonging.

A special shoutout to our incredible volunteers, Mary Jo Archambault and Mikayla Bibbins, for helping lead these powerful conversations! 💬✨

We have 2 virtual listening sessions remaining - Monday, June 2 for caregivers and Monday, June 9 for self-advocates. If you're interested in contributing to the conversation, sign up at www.endlonelinessCT.org/inclusive-connection .

05/28/2025

🌍 Big news from the global stage!

, on May 23, the World Health Organization (WHO) adopted its first-ever resolution on social connection at the 78th World Health Assembly - a major milestone in recognizing that human connection is essential to our health and well-being.

This historic resolution calls on countries around the world to take action on loneliness and social disconnection, urging the development of evidence-based strategies to strengthen social connection for people of all ages.

At the CT Collaborative to End Loneliness, we’re encouraged to see this level of international commitment. It affirms what we've seen in communities across Connecticut: when people feel connected, health outcomes improve, and lives are changed for the better.

📢 The WHO Commission on Social Connection is launching its flagship report next month - and registration is now open! Join us in learning more about this global call to action:
🔗 https://mailchi.mp/who-csc/report-launch-2025

Let’s keep building a more connected, compassionate world - one relationship at a time. 💛

05/12/2025

Professionals in Connecticut who serve adults with developmental disabilities - we need to hear from you!

Please join us at noon on Wednesday for a lunchtime virtual Zoom meeting to share your experiences helping adults foster social connection and build friendships.

, please sign up today at www.endlonelinessCT.org/inclusive-connection.

Thank you!

CT Council on Developmental Disabilities

04/25/2025

🌟 , our Pathways for Inclusive Connection listening sessions are off to a powerful start! We've had the privilege of hearing from nearly two dozen self-advocates and caregivers about their journeys building friendship and connection.

🗓️ Next up: A virtual session for support professionals on May 14, 12–1 PM. Your voice matters!

💬 Share your insights and help shape a more connected future for adults with developmental disabilities in Connecticut.

🔗 Sign up today: www.endlonelinessct.org/inclusive-connection

04/03/2025

🌟 Join Us to Help Adults with Developmental Disabilities Foster Friendships! 🌟

Adults with developmental disabilities ('self-advocates'), caregivers, and service providers:

Join us at an upcoming small group chat where we’ll talk about how self-advocates can have more chances to make friends and what might be getting in the way.

What you share will help us create guides for self-advocates, caregivers, support agencies, and municipal leaders to make it easier for everyone to connect.

Sign up today at www.endlonelinessCT.org/inclusive-connection. In-person and virtual options are being offered.

Help us create a community where everyone can feel connected and supported. 💙

03/03/2025

We are pleased to welcome Elizabeth Shapiro as a member of the Advisory Council.

Liz is the Director of Arts, Preservation, and Museums in the State of Connecticut's Dept. of Economic and Community Development and oversees the Connecticut Office of the Arts, the State Historic Preservation Office, and four historic sites.

A solutions-oriented leader, Liz uses innovative, collaborative, research-based methods to benefit Connecticut residents. She is currently working on a new initiative to bring arts-based social prescriptions to Connecticut to benefit our state's residents of all ages.

For more information about the CT Collaborative to End Loneliness, visit www.endlonelinessCT.org.