Initiatives
Campus UnLonely
For young adults, college can offer self-discovery, lifelong friendships, and a better understanding of the world. This time of transition may also introduce social and emotional pressures, both of which are heightened by global stressors ranging from climate change and geopolitical unrest to rapid technological change. Facing unprecedented levels of loneliness, students are struggling with their health and academic performance. However, institutions can help students navigate this formative period with the Campus UnLonely initiative’s programs that inspire engagement and foster community.
Initiatives
Campus UnLonely
For young adults, college can offer self-discovery, lifelong friendships, and a better understanding of the world. This time of transition may also bring enormous social and emotional pressures, both of which are heightened as the coronavirus pandemic disrupts and reduces peer interaction. Facing unprecedented levels of loneliness, students are struggling with their health and academic performance. However, institutions can help students navigate this formative period with the Campus UnLonely initiative’s programs that inspire engagement and foster community.
Public Health Challenge
With record numbers of students expressing feelings of social disconnection in recent years, the loneliness epidemic has spread across college campuses.
“College can feel incredibly lonely. Students struggle to figure out who they are, where they fit, and indeed if they fit at all. Hearing over and over that the years at college are supposed to be the best, then, is disheartening, and makes students feel like they are failing in some major way” – Evan’s blog post
A Profile of Campus Life
Through our Project UnLonely Films initiative, we collect short films to represent the lived experiences of loneliness and connection.
Prevelance and Pervasiveness
Gen Z, or young people ages 18 to 28, are significantly more likely to be lonely than any other generation in the U.S. About 2 in 3 feel shy, feel like others don’t understand them, and feel that people around them are absent (Cigna).
Mental Health Risks
More than 50% of college students feel that they need support with “emotional or mental health problems such as feeling sad, blue, anxious or nervous” (Healthy Minds Study).
Academic Impact
More than 70% of college students feel that emotional or mental health challenges negatively impact their academic performance at least some of the time (Healthy Minds Study).
Program Solutions
It’s clear that additional resources and support are needed to better support students’ mental health and academic performance. Our evidenced-based programs uniquely inspire interpersonal connection and belonging through creative expression in higher education institutions. Our Campus UnLonely workshops are now available to college campuses throughout the U.S.
Learn to express
Arts-based activities provide a tangible way to share with others, empowering students to learn more about themselves, each other, and their community.
Create Community
Beginner-friendly programs are an effective way to convene students from a range of backgrounds and facilitate active, ongoing reflection and expression.
Improve Connection
Shared experiences help to support the development of meaningful interactions between people and deepen important bonding moments.
Our Partners and Progress
Our Sponsors
The generous support of sponsors helps to scale the growth of this initiative and increase the impact we’re able to make on both national and local levels.
Our Community Partners
We deliver our programs in partnership with administrators, faculty, wellness professionals, and students at colleges and universities nation-wide. Our partners include but are not limited to the Claremont Colleges, Penn State, Boston University, Harvard School of Public Health, University of Memphis, and Otis College of Art and Design.
Join Us
Explore Our Programs
Read about our evidence-based programs that support this initiative by building office health and well-being among coworkers.
Sponsor this Initiative
Join us and our current sponsors to help expand this important work and increase the impact we are able to deliver across organizations.
