The U.S. Surgeon General’s 2023 Advisory, Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation: The Healing Effects of Social Connection and Community, highlights an urgent global public health issue.
Loneliness and social disconnection are linked to higher risks of anxiety, depression, dementia, heart disease, and early death—comparable to smoking 15 cigarettes a day.
The Advisory calls for a coordinated, multisector effort to strengthen social connection. For global digital mental health professionals, developers, and policymakers, it offers essential guidance on building technologies that promote inclusion, trust, and emotional wellbeing.
Digital Mental Health and the Risks of Social Disconnection
For those working in digital mental health, the Advisory provides valuable direction on how technology can either exacerbate or help address the loneliness crisis (see page 51 of the Advisory PDF for details). Digital tools have enormous potential to foster connection, but they can also increase social disconnection if not intentionally designed. The report offers a practical framework for creating digital environments that support healthy human relationships and mental wellbeing.
Key Guidance for the Digital Mental Health Sector
1) Design with connection in mind. Tools should encourage active, relational interaction, not just passive content consumption.
2) Loneliness is a design problem. Poorly designed digital platforms can amplify feelings of isolation, even with high usage.
3) Use time wisely. Social media use over two hours per day is linked with significantly higher self-reported loneliness.
4) Ensure equitable access. Tools must be inclusive of rural communities, people with disabilities, and those facing digital exclusion.
5) Foster a sense of belonging. Inclusive design can help reduce isolation among LGBTQ+ individuals, migrants, and marginalized groups.
6) Bridge online and offline support. Digital tools should complement real-world support from families, peers, and clinicians.
7) Protect emotional safety. Reducing online harm and harassment is key to creating safe, supportive mental health spaces.
The Healing Effects of Social Connection and Community
The Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation is not limited to any one country. As mental health technologies continue to expand globally, this Advisory offers a universal blueprint for strengthening social connection. It challenges innovators to design with empathy and equity, placing human relationships at the center of digital mental health solutions.
🔗 Read the Full U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory on Social Connection (PDF).
Global Resources for Addressing the Epidemic of Loneliness
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World Health Organization – Mental Health and Social Well-being – WHO guidance on promoting global mental health and emotional wellbeing.
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Measuring Social Connectedness in OECD Countries – a Scoping Review (2024)– Global trends and policy recommendations from the OECD.
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Digital Health Atlas (WHO) – A global platform for tracking, sharing, and scaling digital health solutions
- Ending Loneliness Directory (Australia) – Ending Loneliness Together (ELT) is the peak body in Australia committed to evidence-based action to reduce loneliness across the whole community.
