Social Connection

The World Is Connected yet Lonely.

Loneliness has become a public health crisis, with research showing it increases mortality risk by 26% - equivalent to smoking 15 cigarettes a day (HHS, 2023). The prevention response focuses on "social prescribing," community programs, and digital connection platforms. Yet despite billions invested in connection solutions, loneliness continues to devastate communities.

Why? Because the solutions remain on the surface with online groups, activity referrals, and social "prescriptions" that miss the fundamental nature of human connection.

The result? People join programs but don't develop lasting bonds. They attend events but return home still isolated. Connection becomes another task rather than a natural part of meaningful life.

This Is Where OTs Belong

Social connection isn't a service to be prescribed or an event to attend. It's an occupation - the feeling of belonging that emerges through shared roles, meaningful routines, and purposeful activity with others. True connection happens when people cook together, work toward common goals, care for shared spaces, or engage in meaningful projects that create interdependence. When we form enriching relationships with the people we live, work and create with.

Without us, interventions focus on bringing people together without understanding what actually creates the bonds that sustain relationships and communities.

What's Missing Without Us

• Social programs group people together but don't create shared purpose
• Community activities focus on attendance but miss building authentic relationships
• Social skills training teach techniques in isolated environments
• Digital platforms facilitate contact but can't replicate true community

The result? People participate in programs but never develop the occupational patterns that generate lasting, meaningful relationships, leading to disconnection with themselves and the world around them.

This Is Where We Are at LifeSetGo

We believe OTs can lead social connection when we stand united in our occupation-centred profession. We're still working individually while community builders miss our insights about what actually creates sustainable social bonds. Every OT needs the clarity to champion occupational approaches to social connection.

When we stand together with this understanding, we don't just reduce loneliness, we show society how to build communities that naturally generate belonging.

👉 Ready to lead with confidence? This starts with mastering occupational case formulation – our roots in staying occupation-centred, no matter which system we are working in. Train with LifeSetGo.