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Fox News recently reported that 70% of U.S. schools saw an increase in the number of students seeking mental health services as a result of COVID-19.
The National Center for Education Statistics reported 76% of public school staffers complained about the intensity of their own battles against depression, anxiety and stress.
The World Health Organization says rates of anxiety and depression rose 25% during just the first year of COVID lockdowns and a British study revealed that more children died from suicide than from COVID during the first year of the pandemic. Even airlines say passengers must relearn the etiquette of travel after their COVID hiatus from contact with other travelers.
None of that should surprise Bible students. In the early days of creation, when the world was still unblemished by sin and nature was a safe, secure place, God rendered His verdict: "It is not good for the man to be alone" (Genesis 2:18, NIV). God remedied Adam's loneliness by creating woman and ever since, God has shown a special concern that people should not be isolated and alone.
Moses' brother, Aaron, stood beside him in confronting Pharaoh. David had Jonathan for a best friend. Jesus sent his disciples out to preach in pairs.
The Apostle Paul had Barnabas and later Silas, as traveling companions. From Pentecost forward, Christians were automatically members of the church; the New Testament knows nothing of lone-ranger"Christians.
The New Testament uses the phrase "one another" or "each other" more than 50 times to point out our responsibilities to our fellow human beings. "Love one another," Jesus commands in John 13. "Be devoted to one another" and "honor one another" reads Romans 12. "Accept one another," Paul writes in Romans 16. We're also commanded to "greet one another," to "be patient with one another," to "submit to" and "bear with one another," to "encourage one another" and to "offer hospitality to one another." Simply stated, people need one another.
Medical professionals and psychologists acknowledged this truth long before anyone ever heard the word COVID. Studies published in 2015 (Hawkley & Capitanio) and 2017 (van Winkel et al.) connected loneliness with depression, anxiety, cardiovascular disease and cognitive decline, noting that loneliness takes a toll on the body similar to that of smoking and obesity.
The British government created a "Minister for Loneliness" position in 2018 because they saw the devastating effect of loneliness on public health.
A study of social media users (L¯pez et al., 2019) revealed that while social media connections enhance the lives of those who do not struggle with loneliness, they may actually increase the loneliness of those who already struggle with loneliness -- making them feel even more disconnected from others.
Returning to pre-pandemic routines will not resolve the problem because it's quite possible to feel lonely and isolated while surrounded by people and activity. It's not the presence of others in our lives that heals loneliness, it's the connection with others that makes a difference, connections that must be cultivated and protected. "It is not good for man to be alone." Life should be experienced together.
In your world, loneliness might look like a divorced mom or dad struggling with the job of being a single parent.
It might be a teenager who wonders if he will ever attract a romantic partner, or a widow who has lost the love of a lifetime. Loneliness might look like the co-worker in the next-door office or like the heavy-equipment operator who goes "home" to a travel trailer in a campground.
Loneliness might lurk behind the criticisms of your church's most bitter old lady; seeking just to be noticed and appreciated, she comes across as bossy and pushy.
Loneliness may mask itself as social awkwardness, depression, constant busyness or addiction.
So whether you're lonely, or you know someone who is, make a connection.
You may not be the doctor who cures cancer but you can be the cure for loneliness in the lives of others and bring increased happiness to your own life in the process.
So reach out. Tell a joke, make a phone call, write a note of encouragement or invite someone to lunch. Ask someone how they're doing and really stop to listen.
Open up, confess your own sins (another "each other" from James 5:16) and your transparency may allow someone else to reveal their own struggle and pain.
Make a connection with someone. You'll be blessed by being a blessing.
Mark Wilmoth
Pinehurst Christian Church, Marietta