Colors & Connection: Exploring Loneliness With Harvard’s Future Public Health Leaders
August 28, 2023
On August 21, a remarkably diverse and enthusiastic crop of new students arrived at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health for their Fall 2023 orientation. There, students made new friends, got ID cards, and attended inspiring lectures on hot topics in public health. Of the nearly 400 attendees, 90 decided to take a special workshop that spotlighted and addressed loneliness: Colors & Connection.
The arts-based workshop was special for many reasons. In the halls of academia, where research, statistics, and analyses reign supreme, these students were asked to tap into their creative side. And, unlike other Colors & Connection workshops that are led by the host institution’s staff, this workshop was led by The Foundation for Art & Healing (FAH) Founder and President Dr. Jeremy Nobel, a public health practitioner and noted expert on loneliness. Dr. Nobel, himself a graduate of the School, currently serves on its faculty and teaches a course on loneliness and public health.
The eager student audience was composed of individuals poised to address public health concerns on a global scale. When Dr. Nobel asked them questions about how loneliness is defined and who is most likely to feel lonely, they had answers. A diverse collection of minds and aspirations, they possessed a shared trait that he gently teased out of them. He asked how many enjoyed making or enjoying art. A strikingly unanimous affirmation followed, revealing a shared enthusiasm for embracing creativity as an avenue of discovery and self-expression.
Dr. Nobel asked each of the three groups to identify the populations most likely to experience significant loneliness. In each session, the same scenarios were called out: the elderly, those struggling with grief, those traumatized by war or domestic violence, those suffering from rare diseases, and so on. Yet, a surprising statistic shared by Dr. Nobel cut through the room’s chatter inviting a moment of shared reflection: the loneliest adult demographic are those between the ages of 18 and 28, precisely the age bracket that comprised a significant proportion of the attendees.
With the stage set, Dr. Nobel handed the workshop over to Bailey Merlin, a longtime writing facilitator and member of the FAH Young Adult Advisory Committee. She invited each participant to think about how they felt at that moment and assign that feeling a color. Once done, each person offered their first name and their color. In each session, some colors were more popular than others (green started the day strong, but pink finished it).
Once everyone was acquainted, Bailey led the class through a breathing exercise, telling them to breathe in a calming color and breathe out a stressful color. Once relaxed, attendees were asked to think about their upcoming year and then use oil pastels to express those feelings on paper. Given permission to have fun, the room buzzed with an unspoken camaraderie, a collective realization that in addition to their shared scholarly pursuits, the fact that they would also have a deep emotional experience in the coming year, also connected them.
At the end of ten minutes, Bailey asked everyone to find a partner with whom to share their work, allowing for a moment of connection. The room was charming chaos, people’s voices and laughter tumbling into a low roar. It took several “hellos” at the front for everyone to return to focus. When asked to share their art and thoughts with the class, the room was silent at first. Eventually, a few brave souls shared their work and all the complicated emotions that went with it. The group listened attentively and appreciatively, recognizing that although the specific feelings might be different, the intensity of the upcoming year was a feeling shared by all.
When asked what they thought of the workshop process, participants spoke about the delight of being able to color and play, the surprise they had when feelings of isolation or hope made themselves known in their art, and being grateful for a chance to have some insight into the minds of their peers. As the sharing part ended, Dr. Nobel led a conversation that connected the exercise with public health.
“If we don’t intervene early, loneliness becomes a habit,” he said, and his words reverberated through the room. The concept of loneliness as a slow-moving, potentially destructive force took root in the participants’ consciousness. “It’s not a glaring neon sign demanding attention,” he continued, “But can be damaging nonetheless, eroding self-esteem, and reducing our enjoyment of life, not to mention its physical and mental health risks.”
Among the nuggets of wisdom that Dr. Nobel imparted, one shone particularly brightly: loneliness is not a character flaw. It’s not indicative of inadequacy or personal failings. Instead, it’s an alert, a signal that something is amiss, specifically that one is in need of deeper and authentic connection to others.”
These Colors & Connection workshops provide a chance for participants to experience the transformative power of mindfulness, creative expression, shared conversation, and authentic human connection. In an academic arena where intellect and rational analysis is often viewed as paramount, these sessions introduced a revolutionary concept—acknowledging emotions and feelings as an integral aspect of one’s personal and professional journey.
As the complexities and challenges of modern life increase the risk for disconnection, it’s vital to acknowledge loneliness as a personal and public health risk. The Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health workshop sessions at this year’s orientation offered participants an opportunity to learn about loneliness while at the same time experiencing a chance to share thoughts and feelings, and to feel connected as they face their exciting and challenging year ahead!
What did the students say?
76% felt less lonely after the workshop.
90% felt more in touch with their emotions/feelings.
100% would recommend this program to their peers!
These Colors & Connection workshops provide a chance for participants to experience the transformative power of mindfulness, creative expression, shared conversation, and authentic human connection. In an academic arena where intellect and rational analysis is often viewed as paramount, these sessions introduced a revolutionary concept—acknowledging emotions and feelings as an integral aspect of one’s personal and professional journey.
As the complexities and challenges of modern life increase the risk for disconnection, it’s vital to acknowledge loneliness as a personal and public health risk. The Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health workshop sessions at this year’s orientation offered participants an opportunity to learn about loneliness while at the same time experiencing a chance to share thoughts and feelings, and to feel connected as they face their exciting and challenging year ahead!
