WQED, Mental Health America of Southwestern PA, and University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg are proud to host a screening of Alone: Isolation Hurts, a 30-minute documentary exploring the intersections of mental health and social isolation. This free public screening will be held Wednesday, March 29 at Mary Lou Campana Chapel and Lecture Center in Greensburg, Pa. The event will begin with a 7 p.m. community screening, followed by a Q&A panel discussion.
Social isolation has long been known to affect mental health, but new information shows it can increase the risk of poor physical health and early death. With direct connections to depression, suicide, dementia, stroke, coronary disease and poor sleep, isolation is having an ominous and widespread effect. As many as 40 percent of American adults report feeling cut off from meaningful family and community connections. The COVID pandemic only made things worse with an alarming spike in teenage mental health issues. To stream the program and learn more, visit wqed.org/mentalhealth.
Alone: Isolation Hurts is made possible with the generous support of the Staunton Farm Foundation.
Immediately following the documentary screening, Beth Dolinar, producer of Alone: Isolation Hurts, will moderate a panel discussion that features Heather McLean, Outreach Coordinator at Mental Health America of Southwestern PA; Joel Richard, Mental Health Advocate and teacher at NAMI Keystone PA; and Gayle F. Pamerleau, Director of Counseling at University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg. Additional panelists will be announced closer to the event.
“Loneliness and isolation impact mental health in not only older adults, but high school and college students as well," says Laurie Barnett Levine, Chief Executive Officer of Mental Health America of Southwestern PA. "Isolation is associated with depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, problems with sleep, and even cognitive development in youth. Programs like Alone: Isolation Hurts and screening events like this one are among the tools we have to effect positive change."
Registration for the event is available here: https://wqedalonescreening.eventbrite.com/
Complimentary light refreshments will be served. Parking is available in the building's attached lot.
- Major funding for Alone: Isolation Hurts was provided by Staunton Farm Foundation.
- Event Presenting Partners: WQED Multimedia, Mental Health America of Southwestern PA, University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg
- Event Community Partner: NAMI Keystone Pennsylvania