Everyone experiences loneliness. For many, especially our most vulnerable, this loneliness can become chronic. Your age, gender, race and socioeconomic background does not matter. Even those with strong social support networks can still experience loneliness.
VA neurologist Dr. Indira Subramanian says a happily married couple “…can be lonely together.” That’s because loneliness is subjective. It is not a character flaw. It’s the gap between your current state of connection and your desired state. Many of our Veterans feel a loss of connection soon after discharge or during the latter stages of life when many of their family and friends have moved or passed away.
Loneliness has been identified by doctors, nurses and social workers for decades. Many Veterans do not receive regular visitors or phone calls. These Veterans are more likely to present at emergency departments. They are more likely to phone crisis lines. And they are more likely to develop clinical conditions such as depression, anxiety and suicidal ideations. Some develop substance abuse issues.
VA has recognized the issue of loneliness and offers an array of programs to support Veterans who may be struggling with it. Programs include pet therapy, music therapy and group therapy. In some areas, Veterans with caregivers can request weekly visitation by a trained volunteer. This has the added benefit of providing regular respite for the caregiver.
Compassionate Contact Corps combats loneliness
Since the pandemic, a new virtual social prescribing program has resonated with Veterans and volunteers alike. It’s called Compassionate Contact Corps. This program highlights the power of genuine human connection in combating loneliness and improving mental health outcomes.
Compassionate Contact Corps is a non-clinical program. A trained volunteer preferably from the community is matched with a Veteran that has been identified by their clinician as potentially benefiting from additional social connection.
The volunteer phones the Veteran weekly, usually for 15–60 minutes of meaningful conversation. It has become a signature program of American Red Cross and Soldier’s Angels, and there is significant participation from other Veteran service organizations helping to combat this issue.
If you would like to help VA support some of our most vulnerable Veterans by volunteering for Compassionate Contact Corps or any of our other amazing volunteer opportunities, please go to VA’s volunteer webpage to learn more.
