ONLINE CLASS - Connected Lives Series. Why Being Surrounded by People Isn’t Enough: Drinking Salt Water

Online Class | Registration opens 8/31/2026 8:58 AM EDT

1/22/2027 (one day)
10:00 AM-11:00 AM EDT on Fri
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ONLINE CLASS - Connected Lives Series. Why Being Surrounded by People Isn’t Enough: Drinking Salt Water

Online Class | Registration opens 8/31/2026 8:58 AM EDT

Registration deadline: Jan. 14th 

*** Note: This class will be conducted via Zoom. ***

Connected Lives is a series of lectures exploring how loneliness and isolation have emerged as the most significant public health challenges of our time. This engaging nine-part lecture series explores the science, psychology, and sociology of human connection. Students may sign up for any or all of the courses as desired. Each session is a standalone course.

Many people feel lonely despite having family, friends, coworkers, or active social lives. This session explores the difference between social contact and meaningful connection. Participants will examine why some relationships nourish well-being while others leave people feeling disconnected. Through research on emotional intimacy, authenticity, and belonging, attendees will discover how deeper connections are formed within families, friendships, and communities.

Participants will learn to:

  • Distinguish between social interaction and meaningful connection
  • Understand the role of vulnerability in relationships
  • Identify qualities of emotionally nourishing relationships
  • Strengthen the depth and quality of connections within their personal and community network

With over 17 years of experience in the mental health field, Thasia Awad is a licensed Master’s Level Clinical Social Worker who provides compassionate, individualized care to individuals and families navigating a wide range of emotional and relational challenges. Her clinical areas of expertise include trauma-informed care, complex trauma, PTSD, depression, anxiety, eating disorders, relationship conflict, self-esteem and identity, social-emotional learning, and life skills development.

  

  • About Thasia Awad's Connected Lives Lecture Series

    Connected Lives: Reclaiming the Waters of Human Connection
    The Science and Practice of Human Connection, Finding Community & Purpose in the Age of the Loneliness Epidemic

    Loneliness and isolation has emerged as one of the most significant public health challenges of our time. Drawing on the U.S. Surgeon General's Advisory on the Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation, this engaging nine-part lecture series explores the science, psychology, and sociology of human connection. Through research, storytelling, discussion, and practical application, participants will examine how loneliness and isolation affects individuals and communities and discover evidence-based strategies for creating deeper relationships and stronger communities. Using the timeless Yoruba story of Oshun as a guiding metaphor, the series invites learners to explore what happens when the waters of connection run dry and how they can help restore them.   
Thasia Awad

With over 17 years of experience in the mental health field, Thasia Awad is a licensed Master’s Level Clinical Social Worker who provides compassionate, individualized care to individuals and families navigating a wide range of emotional and relational challenges. Her clinical areas of expertise include trauma-informed care, complex trauma, PTSD, depression, anxiety, eating disorders, relationship conflict, self-esteem and identity, social-emotional learning, and life skills development.