Workshop to expand Social Connection resources for Veterans

Social isolation, loneliness and disconnection from the community can have negative health impacts for Veterans. Throughout June, experts in social isolation gathered for VA's Social Connections Workshop Series, a series of four virtual meetings designed to celebrate contributions of those in attendance and identify new ways to collaboratively address social isolation among Veterans.

The workshop series was designed and led by Lori Murphy, social worker at Central Ohio VA, 2024 VHA Innovation Ecosystem Fellow and lead for VA's Compassionate Contact Corps (CCC). CCC is active at 105 VA facilities with over 1,000 volunteers serving 55,000 hours talking with Veterans and providing crucial support to Veterans experiencing loneliness.

Social connection powered by community collaboration

"Bringing together a diverse group of attendees was critical to the success of this event and will continue to be critical as VA invests more heavily in reducing social isolation among Veterans," said Murphy.

Recreational therapists, psychologists, researchers, social workers, policy makers and creators of programs related to address social isolation were among those from VA who joined the workshop series.

External organizations represented included:

• Foundation for Social Connection
• Social Prescribing USA
• Administration for Community Living
• Unite Us
• USAging
• Red Cross
• Centers for Disease Control
• George W. Bush Center
• Veterans of Foreign Wars
• Travis Manion Foundation
• American Legion
• National Endowment for the Arts
• Disabled American Veterans
• The Mission Continues
• Student Veterans of America
• Various educational institutions

The workshop series was designed to not only allow attendees to discuss ways they can work together to multiply the positive impacts that existing social connection programs and services are providing Veterans, but also identify areas of opportunity and spark ideas for new innovative services.

Inside the social connection workshop

VA Under Secretary for Health Dr. Shereef Elnahal opened the first session by stressing the profound impact of the loneliness epidemic, highlighting VA's initiatives to combat it and emphasizing the importance of having these conversations so that VA can deliver best in class care for Veterans now and into the future.

Julia Hotz, author of "The Connection Cure," followed with a discussion on systemic change in the social connection space.

"Social prescribing has been proven to reduce patient wait times, lower hospitalization rates, save money and reverse health worker burnout. And as a general sense of unwellness plagues more of us, social prescriptions can help us feel healthier than we've felt in years," Hotz said.

Dr. Carolyn Clancy kicked off the second session by sharing facts and figures related to social isolation, clearly outlining the focuses of the ensuing workshop. "Approximately 37-50% of Veterans from recent conflicts have been diagnosed with at least one mental illness. Communities where residents are more connected with one another fare better on several measures of population health, community safety and prosperity."

Clancy is VA Assistant Under Secretary for Health for the Office of Discovery, Education and Affiliate Networks (DEAN).

Attendees convened a final time to establish connections they will build upon in future endeavors and heard remarks from Jillian Racoosin, of The Foundation for Social Connection and The Coalition to End Social Isolation & Loneliness.

"Our mission is to advance social connection nationwide, rooted in evidence for our collective well-being. Our vision is a vibrant society where social connection is at the heart of how we live," Racoosin said.

Coming out of the workshop series, Murphy aims to leverage the momentum to enhance VA's capacity to deliver services and programs that reduce loneliness and foster greater connections for Veterans within their communities.

"The effects of loneliness are devastating and sometimes deadly. Helping Veterans to thrive with these supportive services means they're one step closer to being the person they want to be for their loved ones, finding renewed joy in old hobbies, feeling like themselves again after losing a spouse, or seeking more help from VA to guide them through the dark times," said Murphy.

Learn more

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If you're a Veteran in crisis or concerned about one, contact the Veterans Crisis Line to receive 24/7 confidential support. You don't have to be enrolled in VA benefits or health care to connect. To reach responders, Dial 988 then Press 1, chat online at VeteransCrisisLine.net/Chat, or text 838255.

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