A farmer who stays cooped up at home, a veteran struggling to find work, a parent overwhelmed by caregiving duties, an older woman with no family or friends nearby or who can no longer drive into town — loneliness can have a serious impact on health and quality of life, with the strongest evidence in the everyday stories of rural people. A growing body of research suggests an alarming trend in the health risks associated with social isolation in both urban and rural America.
The effects of rising stress levels, loneliness, depression, and despair can be exacerbated by rural hardships and a geographical dearth of resources. This complex problem requires open-minded, unconventional solutions. From ad-hoc, online communities to creative grant funding, health care providers and rural residents can address the stigma of social isolation and depression.
Read the complete story here.
