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The Loneliness Epidemic with University Students at its Core: How to Help
Wednesday May 21, 2025 3:40pm - 4:25pm CDT
Lake Room
In 2023, the Surgeon General warned about America's "epidemic of loneliness," including international
concern with England and Japan appointing Ministers to combat the challenge. Loneliness is extreme
among college students. According to a survey by Active Minds and Timely Care (February, 2024),
nearly two-thirds of college students reported feeling lonely. International students are even more likely
to be lonely, yet the cause is not just from missing their families, but rather a mix of factors based on the
feelings of "outsiderness" from lack of adjustment to local cultural norms. Some interventions have been
tried for university students, and most concentrate on counseling and peer support without long-term
outcome impact. However, interventions for combating loneliness in older populations have shown
success, including initiating social contact with community engagement projects. We propose to try
similar interventions, like having university students, and specifically international students, work with
mission-driven organizations to create community impact. We believe providing them with community
engagement with nonprofits will lead to a decrease in loneliness. This work has proven effective with older populations.

This is an interactive session and the participants can offer opportunities of their own for alleviating the challenge of loneliness or suggestions on how to explore the concern.

Speakers
avatar for Nina Wieda

Nina Wieda

Interim Director, Chicago Field Studies, Northwestern University
avatar for Candy Lee

Candy Lee

Professor, Medill School of Journalism, Media, Integrated Marketing Communications
Candy Lee is a professor at Medill, teaching in journalism and in integrated marketing communications. Previously she was vice president of marketing at The Washington Post, overseeing multiple functions, from marketing to research, and originating innovative programs.Prior to joining... Read More →
Wednesday May 21, 2025 3:40pm - 4:25pm CDT
Lake Room
  Interactive Presentation

Attendees (9)


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