Connected Lives Series. The Cost of Disconnection: How Loneliness Shapes Communities, Democracy & Civic Life

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

2/12/2027 (one day)
10:00 AM-11:00 AM EDT on Fri
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Connected Lives Series. The Cost of Disconnection: How Loneliness Shapes Communities, Democracy & Civic Life

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

Registration deadline:  Feb. 4th 

*** Note: If there is inclement weather, this class will be held via Zoom & registrants will be notified via email. ***

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.

What happens when loneliness extends beyond individuals and affects entire communities? This lecture examines the societal consequences of disconnection, including declining trust, civic disengagement, polarization, and reduced community resilience. Participants will explore how strong communities depend upon meaningful relationships, active citizenship, volunteerism, and intergenerational engagement.

Participants will learn to:

  • Understand the relationship between connection and community health
  • Identify signs of social fragmentation in modern society
  • Recognize how loneliness affects civic life and community resilience
  • Explore ways to strengthen community engagement and social trust

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 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.