Social Isolation + Loneliness Radio Tour

To help people struggling with social isolation and loneliness, Rural Minds Founder and Chairman Jeff Winton, in partnership with Pfizer Director of Occupational Health and Wellness Dr. Nicole Shaffer, recently embarked on radio interview tour to provide insight on addressing the mental health challenges that affect rural Americans. Those living in rural America disproportionately suffer from mental illness. Their interviews aimed to help reduce stigma by talking about mental health, recognizing unique barriers to mental health in rural America, and providing access to free mental health information and resources.

Challenges of Social Isolation + Loneliness in Rural America

• About one-in-two adults in America report experiencing loneliness.

• Social isolation and loneliness are often more pronounced in rural communities due to smaller communities that are further spread out.

• Lacking social connection can increase risk for premature death by as much as smoking up to 15 cigarettes per day or drinking 6 alcoholic drinks daily, and is associated with increased risk for anxiety, depression, and dementia.

• Authentic human connection is a basic, but often unacknowledged necessity for health, “as essential to survival as food, water, and shelter.”

• Loneliness is far more than just a bad feeling—it harms both individual and societal health. 

• Loneliness and social isolation increase the risk for premature death by 26% and 29% respectively.

• In addition, poor or insufficient social connection is associated with increased risk of disease, including a 29% increased risk of heart disease and a 32% increased risk of stroke. 

Source: U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory on the Health Effects of Social Connection and Community

Monday, March 24th:

• 9:30 am: Seven Minute Interview on WCSM-AM (Celina/Dayton, OH)

• 10:10 am: Ten Minute Interview on WAMV-AM (Lynchburg, VA) - Part 1

• 12:00 pm: Ten Minute Interview on Conversation Collage podcast (National/Washington State) - Part 1

• 3:00 pm: Thirty Minute Interview on Reasonably Spontaneous Conversation Podcast (National/Texas)

Tuesday, March 25th:

• 9:15 am: Ten Minute Interview on WCCI-FM (Quad Cities, IL/IA) Part 1

• 1:40 pm: Ten Minute Interview on WSVA-AM/FM (Harrisonburg, VA)

• 2:00 pm: Thirty Minute Interview on WNZF-FM (Dayton, FL)

Monday, April 7th:

• 9:15 am: Ten Minute Interview on WCCI-FM (Quad Cities, IL/IA) Part 2

• 10:10 am: Ten Minute Interview on WAMV-AM (Lynchburg, VA) Part 2

• 12:00 pm: Ten Minute Interview on Conversation Collage Podcast (National/Washington State) Part 2

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Media Spotlights

• With May being Mental Health Awareness Month, follow these tips to tackle isolation and loneliness - RFDTV