‘We have to go out and touch people’: how activism is tackling the US loneliness epidemic
The Guardian••nation
Key Points:
- After the death of her husband, 76-year-old Lani Ritter Hall found renewed purpose and connection through volunteering with Third Act, an organization mobilizing older adults to protect democracy and address climate change.
- Movement-building spaces across the U.S. are helping people of all ages combat loneliness by fostering community and shared purpose, especially amid a national decline in civic engagement and a growing "loneliness epidemic."
- Many activists, like Ritter Hall and Emmanuel "Juni" Taranu, develop deep, familial bonds through organizing around shared values, which provide emotional support and a strong sense of belonging.
- While activism can pose mental health risks, especially in high-risk situations, experts emphasize the importance of collective care and diverse roles within movements to
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