Our Blog
Harvard Magazine January 2021 Feature: The Loneliness Pandemic
Harvard Magazine’s January 2021 cover story, “The Loneliness Pandemic,” covered the psychology and social costs of isolation in everyday life. The Founder & President of the Foundation for Art & Healing – Jeremy Nobel, MD, MPH – contributed his expertise having created the UnLonely Project, which increases public awareness of loneliness and lessens its burden for those struggling to cope. The Foundation and its UnLonely Project initiative provide art-focused activities and resources to help people heal emotionally and improve community well-being.
Read a brief except of the article, which was written by Jacob Sweet and harvardmagazine.com, directly below.

BRADLEY RIEW ’18 had a calendar reliably packed from 9 A.M. to midnight. To him, that didn’t seem so bad. “You know,” he says, “you have nine hours to sleep.”
On top of his schoolwork and various extracurriculars, he spent about 20 hours a week volunteering at local homeless shelters. He acknowledges now how well he fit the “overworked Harvard student” stereotype, but during sophomore year the commitments didn’t strike him as unusual. “I was just doing what everyone else was doing,” he says. “I was just absorbed in that culture of go, go, go, go, go.”
But the packed days strung together, the work piled on, and Riew felt more and more drained. Classwork encroached later into the night, and he went to bed with a level of exhaustion that rest couldn’t fix. “I didn’t really have time to do my schoolwork,” he recalls, “and I didn’t have time to just relax or spend time talking to somebody.”
Riew had no problem connecting with others, but keeping in touch and forming strong friendships was harder. He’d think about reaching out to someone, only to realize that they hadn’t spoken for months and decide the effort wasn’t worth it. Potential friends were now just friendly acquaintances. “And all my relationships were like that,” he says.
His productivity outpaced his social life, until it didn’t. His grades began to slip, and he started feeling depressed. “I got to the point where I didn’t care about anything I was doing,” he admits. “I was doing it because I had been doing it before.” He decided to take a leave of absence after that year, staying home in St. Louis. Only when the noise of undergraduate life began to fade did he finally begin to see the root of his problems: though he was far from alone, he was lonely.
Read More
Find research studies, articles, media placements, and editorial content that demonstrate how art serves as a catalyst for improved health.
Human Storytelling and Creative Expression
Throughout our history, humans have been driven by the urge to create and express themselves. Creative expression allow us to share our stories, helping us to relate to one another, understand the world around us, and feel less alone.
Feeling Alone at Work?
COVID-19 has drastically altered our workplaces, and feelings of loneliness and disconnection at work have surged. With working from home and seemingly endless nonstop screen time, how connected do you feel to your colleagues?
Mindfulness: A Powerful Tool for Connection
Getting creative is not only enjoyable, it’s good for your brain and your relationships! Creative expression can help you feel more connected to yourself and those around you, leading to improved mental health and a boost in self-esteem.
Explore More
Connect with Us
We’d love to keep in touch. Join our newsletter and follow us on social media to stay in the loop.
Get Inspired
Explore the resources we provide to help spark creativity and improve well-being.