Learning to Defeat Loneliness

Posted 26-01-2011

The group setting and emphasis on social interaction in the community at Pasadena Villa’s adult residential facilities is by design. Humans have a fundamental need for inclusion in group life and for close relationships. Social contact is essential for maintaining mental and physical health.

Those with mental illness have a tendency to isolate themselves because they fear others don’t understand them or they are truly stigmatized. Unfortunately, as a mentally ill person pulls away from society, often, society pulls away from the person in need. This isolation may result in loneliness. An Australian survey found that two-thirds of people affected by mental illness feel lonely “often” or “all of the time.” In contrast, only ten percent of the general population reported feelings of loneliness.

Lack of social contact and loneliness can have significant long term impact on one’s health. According to studies by psychologist John Cacioppo of the University of Chicago, lonely people feel greater amounts of stress, which raises the level of circulating stress hormones and blood pressure making the heart work harder and damaging blood vessels. Loneliness also affects the quality of sleep, which in the long term is mentally and physically damaging.

By living in a group environment and strengthening their skill at social interaction, our residents continue to expand their abilities to live a satisfying, healthy life.

The Villa Orlando and Pasadena Villa’s Smoky Mountain Lodge are adult intensive psychiatric residential treatment centers for clients with serious mental illnesses. We also provide other individualized therapy programs, step-down residential programs, and less intensive mental health services, such as Community Residential Homes, Supportive Housing, Day Treatment Programs and Life Skills training. Pasadena Villa’s Outpatient Center in Raleigh, North Carolina offers partial hospitalization (PHP) and an intensive outpatient program (PHP). If you or someone you know may need mental health services, please complete our contact form or call us at 877-845-5235 for more information.