As the annual Holiday Season begins, it is sad to realize that many Americans are suffering from loneliness. While illness and advanced age are common factors, some loneliness is psychological, triggered by the perception of being unloved or unneeded.
Those homebound by illness or infirmity warrant our attention and support; when family is absent, various social programs are designed to step in and our participation in or financial support for those services is a rewarding experience. Indeed, for those who feel unneeded, these and other volunteer opportunities (hospitals, food banks, youth sports, community services, etc.) offer both social interaction and personal satisfaction.
The mental and physical effects of loneliness should not be minimized, especially during the Holidays. It is incumbent on the rest of us to intervene by offering direct support or by encouraging those afflicted with loneliness to participate in the many volunteer programs that are vital to a healthy community.
