“Research shows that loneliness is not about the number of people in our lives, but about the quality of our connections.” — Nupur Dhakephalkar, founder and Chief Clinical Psychologist/ Clinical Director of the Center for Mental Health, Pune, India.

Amidst a landscape clouded by increasing incidents of self-harm, depressed mood, anxiety, loneliness and social isolation, it is easy to lose hope or feel uncertain about the path to positive mental health. Perhaps the simplest way through the gloom is to reclaim our human spirit and revive our connection with God, family and our community. It is only then that we can be most fully ourselves.

Connecting with the Divine

In our darkest days, we can depend on our spiritual lifeline to God, from whom emanates abundant love and compassion that keeps us from plunging into the darkness of desolation.

What better way to reduce anxiety and invite peace and positivity into our day than through a daily prayer routine that

•  focuses on gratitude,

•  surrenders the day to God, and

• seeks divine guidance and strength.

Every night before you sleep, thank God for the day’s blessings no matter how small.

Try these breath prayers:

• Inhale: “Dear God...”

• Exhale: “…I place my trust in You.”

Your body may physically slow down as you spiritually surrender any fear that is triggering a fight-or-flight response.

• Inhale: “God loves and protects me...”

• Exhale: “...I will not fear…”

These prayers battle the mental lie that you are unsafe, lacking, or completely on your own.

Our Family Is Our First Community

Many older adults now live apart from their children, and as family support systems thin, loneliness has become a significant and growing problem.

If you are an older adult staying alone in the home for various reasons, the world can feel empty in the absence of everyday conversation, shared meals, visits, prayer, laughter, and simple human companionship. Here are some strategies to keep from sliding into depression, anxiety, and feelings of a loss of purpose and belonging.

• Perceive yourself as empowered; and able to navigate your circumstances with support.

• Take the first step to create connection routines with your family: phone calls, invitations for meals, offers to help when they need; don’t wait for them to initiate a connection.

• Use WhatsApp, emails, video calls to bridge geographic distance.

• Check in with your grandkids and create an intergenerational bond.

• Be open to receiving support and help.

If you are a child with an older adult parent, help them feel purposeful by

• Creating a family tree together.

• Having them teach a recipe, a craft, a language, or a hobby to the grandchildren.

• Inviting them into decisions where their experience matters.

• Letting grandchildren interview them for a school project.

• Watching a movie together.

Step Out, Reach Out, Belong

The community is a garden where you can explore and enjoy beautiful blooms of support and connection.

• Participate in programs that already exist in your parish.

• Build everyday ties with peers, for example, join morning walk groups, laughter clubs, exercise groups, and senior citizens’ associations.

• Keep up with homebound neighbors through informal visits.

• Enjoy chai or shared meals with old friends and colleagues.

• Check out volunteer opportunities in your parish or local neighborhood. 

• Keep a short list of people to call on a difficult day.

Ensure that you choose activities that are suited to your interests and abilities.