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San Mateo County Takes a Stand Against Loneliness: Declaring it a Public Health Crisis

Loneliness, Health Crisis

San Mateo County, California, continues to be a leader in the fight against loneliness. In a first-of-its-kind move for a major U.S. county, the Board of Supervisors unanimously declared loneliness a public health crisis in January 2024.

This decision came on the heels of concerning data. A 2022 county survey revealed a staggering 45% of residents reported struggling with isolation and loneliness, a significant increase from 2018. The COVID-19 pandemic likely exacerbated feelings of isolation, but San Mateo County recognizes loneliness as a broader issue demanding attention.

Why is Loneliness a Public Health Crisis?

Loneliness isn’t just a feeling of being alone. It’s the lack of social connection, and research shows it has serious health consequences. Studies have linked chronic loneliness to an increased risk of:

Dementia
Depression
Anxiety
Heart disease
Stroke
Early death

Taking Action Against Loneliness

By declaring loneliness a public health crisis, San Mateo County is sending a clear message: social connection is essential for well-being. This groundbreaking move has paved the way for developing strategies to combat loneliness. Here’s the latest on their efforts:

Funding Initiatives: Supervisor David Canepa, who introduced the resolution, emphasized the need for investment alongside the declaration. Talks are underway to secure funding for programs that promote social connection.
Campaign Update: The “Are You Lonely?” campaign launched in January 2024 to raise awareness and gather data on loneliness in the county. The hope is that this data will inform future efforts.
“Minister of Loneliness” Proposal: While not yet implemented, the idea of creating a “Minister of Loneliness” position to spearhead county efforts remains under discussion. This innovative approach could serve as a model for other communities.

A Beacon of Hope

San Mateo County’s groundbreaking decision is a beacon of hope in the fight against loneliness. It highlights the importance of social connection for our physical and mental health. This action could inspire other communities to take similar steps, creating a ripple effect of positive change.

What You Can Do

Loneliness is a widespread issue, but there are things we can all do to combat it. Here are some ways to connect with others and build stronger social bonds:

Reach out to friends and family
Join a club or group activity
Volunteer in your community
Be a good neighbor
Use technology to connect with others, like with our Me We Too app! You can connect with others on the little things and the big things. Share who you are, what’s on your mind, what you’re doing, what you like/don’t like, events in your life, your opinions …Silly or serious, or just because. Whether you’re the new student at school, a new parent seeking advice, or someone struggling with a specific challenge, the Me We Too app can help you find a supportive community and feel like you are not alone.

Let’s all play a part in fostering a more connected world, one conversation, one friendship at a time.

Posted in In the News | Tagged anxiety, are you lonely?, building community, california, connect with others, dementia, depression, early death, heart disease, loneliness, lonely, me we too, me we too app, public health crisis, san mateo county, stroke, supervisor david canepa, technology | Leave a comment

St. Paul Makes History: First Major U.S. City with All-Women City Council

St. Paul, Minnesota, All-Women City Council

St. Paul, Minnesota has shattered a glass ceiling! In the recent elections, the city made history by electing the first all-female city council in the history of any major U.S. city. This groundbreaking achievement marks a significant step forward for gender representation in local government.

The new council is not just breaking ground in terms of gender; it’s also incredibly diverse. Six out of the seven council members are women of color, reflecting the vibrant multicultural makeup of St. Paul. All the women are under 40 years old, bringing a fresh perspective and energy to the table.

This isn’t just about celebrating “firsts,” although that’s certainly a cause for excitement. The new council members campaigned on a clear policy vision, with a focus on issues important to St. Paul residents. They bring a range of professional experiences and a commitment to tackling issues like affordable housing, education, and economic development.

The national spotlight is now on St. Paul, with many eager to see what this history-making council will accomplish. While only time will tell what their policies will bring, one thing is certain: St. Paul is setting a powerful example for cities across the country.

What does this mean for St. Paul?

The all-female council presents a unique opportunity for St. Paul. Here are some potential benefits:

Diverse perspectives: A wider range of experiences and backgrounds can lead to more well-rounded policy decisions.
Focus on issues important to women: The council may prioritize issues that disproportionately affect women, such as childcare and healthcare.
Increased representation: This milestone could inspire more women to get involved in local politics.

What does this mean for the future?

St. Paul’s achievement could be a tipping point for women in politics. It shows that voters are ready to elect qualified women to lead their communities. Hopefully, this will inspire more women to run for office and pave the way for greater gender parity in government at all levels.

Stay tuned!

St. Paul’s all-female council is sure to make headlines in the coming months and years. We’ll be watching closely to see the impact they have on their city and the future of women in politics.

Posted in Story | Tagged all-women, diverse, diversity, gender equality, glass ceiling, minnesota, politics, shattered glass ceiling, st. paul, women in politics | Leave a comment

The story of Mr. Bean, Rowan Atkinson, from stuttering and getting bullied to fame and success

Mr. Bean (Rowan Atkinson) – The story of the man who never gave up on his dreams.

Rowan Atkinson was born in a middle-class family and suffered terribly as a child because of his stuttering. He was also teased and bullied at school because of his looks. His bullies thought he looked like an alien. He was soon marked a strange and became a very shy, withdrawn kid who didn’t have many friends, so he dived into science, one of his teachers said. There was nothing outstanding about him. I did not expect him to be a brilliant scientist, but he has proved everyone wrong. Admitted to Oxford University during his days, he started falling in love with acting but couldn’t perform due to his speaking disorder. he got his master’s degree in electrical engineering before appearing in any movie or TV show after getting his degree, he decided to pursue his dream and become an actor so he enrolled in a comedy group but again, his stammering got in the way.

A lot of TV shows rejected him, and he felt devastated but despite the many rejections. He never stopped believing in himself. He had a great passion for making people laugh and knew that he was very good at it. he started focusing more and more on his original comedy sketches and soon realized that he could speak fluently whenever he played some character. he found a way to overcome his stuttering and his also used there is an inspiration for his acting. While studying for his master’s Rowan Atkinson co-created the strange, surreal, and now speaking character known as Mr. Bean.

He had success with other shows, Mr. Bean made him globally famous and despite all the obstacles, he faced because of his looks and his speaking disorder, he proved that even without a heroic body or a Hollywood face, you can become one of the most loved and respected actors in the world. The motivational success story of Rowan Atkinson. It’s so inspiring because it teaches is that to be successful in life, the most important things are passion, hard work, dedication and never giving up, because without caring about our feelings and weaknesses.

Moral of the story:
No one is born perfect. Don’t be afraid. People can accomplish amazing things every day in spite of their weaknesses and failures. So go and do the best you can with the one life you’ve got.

Posted in Story | Tagged bullied, mr. bean, Rowan Atkinson, stutter, success | Leave a comment

Tree love

‘The thinner tree was cut years ago and the big one has been holding and feeding it since then. They “wake up” together in the spring and “go to sleep” together in the autumn’

Inosculation is a natural phenomenon in which parts of two different trees, commonly but not exclusively the same species, grow together, self grafting and sharing nutrients

The term emanates from latin- ōsculārī, to kiss

Posted in Story | Tagged inosculation, love, love trees, osculari, trees | Leave a comment

“What would my Mom think of that?”

Ivan Fernandez (Spain) pushing Abel Mutai (Kenya) over the finish line

“What would my Mom think of that?”
In a race, (see picture), athlete Abel Mutai representing Kenya, was just a few feet from the finish line, but he was confused with the signage & stopped thinking he had completed the race. The Spanish athlete, Ivan Fernandez was right behind him & realizing what was happening, he started shouting at the Kenyan for him to continue running; but Mutai didn’t know Spanish didn’t understand. Then the Spanish pushed him to victory. A journalist asked Ivan, “Why did you do that?”
Ivan replied, “My dream is that someday we can have a kind of community life”. The journalist insisted “But why did you let the Kenyan win?” Ivan replied, “I didn’t let him win, he was going to win”. The journalist insisted again, “But you could have won!” Ivan looked at him & replied, “But what would be the merit of my victory? What would be the honour of that medal?
What would my Mom think of that?”
Values are transmitted from generation to generation.
What values are we teaching our children?
Let us not teach our kids the wrong ways & means to WIN
– Birad Rajaram Yajnik

Posted in Sports, Story | Tagged abel mutai, honor, integrity, ivan fernandez, kenya, race, spain | Leave a comment

“And no matter how high I climbed up the ladder of success, I was going to view the world without looking down on anyone. “

‘Before we left for Italy I tried again to meet Sugar Ray. I walked all the way up Fifth Avenue to 125th Street. I wanted to get his autograph and tell him that l was on my way to the Olympics to win a gold medal. I wanted to tell him that I admired him, and that I was going to be the heayyweight champion of the world by the time I was twenty-one. When I arrived at the club I waited outside all day for Sugar Ray to get there. I didn’t mind waiting; I would have stood outside all week if I had to.

It was about ten o’clock when he finally drove up. I was so excited that for the first time in my life, I was speechless. When I pulled myself together, I walked up to Mr. Robinson and told him how far I had come just to see him and how long I had been waiting to get his autograph. I told him that I was going to be the heavyweight champion of the whole world, and that he was my hero.

When I think back, I realize he never really looked at me. He gave me a quick pat on the shoulder and told me, ‘Later, boy, I’m busy right now.’ I was crushed. I couldn’t believe he brushed me aside like that, especially after l had waited all day for him to show up. I felt as if my feet were made of cement. I couldn’t move. I just stood there as I watched Sugar Ray Robinson turn his back to me and walk away. Although I felt hurt and let down, I decided that I wouldn’t let my disappointment get the best of me.

I was going to be different when I became a great boxer. I would be the kind of champion that fans could walk up to and talk to. I would shake their hands and sign every autograph, even sign some autographs in advance so that when I was in a hurry, I could still hand them out to people, assuring everyone went home happy. I was going to go out of my way to show my fans how important they were, and how much l appreciated them. At that moment, I vowed never to turn a fan away.

I didn’t want anyone to feel the disappointment and hurt that I felt that night. I was always going to make time for the people who looked up to me; especially children. I knew that when I became a champion – and I knew that I would – I was going to remember what it was like before I made it big. I wasn’t going to forget where I came from. I was going to be my own kind of champion, a champ to all people everywhere in the world. And no matter how high I climbed up the ladder of success, I was going to view the world without looking down on anyone. And wasn’t going to forget the boy that I once was.’

– Muhammad Ali

Posted in Story | Tagged boxer, champion, muhammad ali | Leave a comment

A Friend

“A store owner was tacking a sign above his door that read “Puppies For Sale.” Signs like that have a way of attracting small children and sure enough, a little boy appeared under the store owner’s sign. “How much are you going to sell the puppies for?” he asked.

The store owner replied, “Anywhere from $30 to $50.” The little boy reached in his pocket and pulled out some change. “I have $2.37,” he said. “Can I please look at them?”

The store owner smiled and whistled and out of the kennel came Lady, who ran down the aisle of his store followed by five teeny, tiny balls of fur. One puppy was lagging considerably behind. Immediately the little boy singled out the lagging, limping puppy and said, “What’s wrong with that little dog?”

The store owner explained that the veterinarian had examined the little puppy and had discovered it didn’t have a hip socket. It would always limp. It would always be lame. The little boy became excited. “That is the little puppy that I want to buy.”

The store owner said, “No, you don’t want to buy that little dog. If you really want him, I’ll just give him to you.”

The little boy got quite upset. He looked straight into the store owner’s eyes, pointing his finger, and said, “I don’t want you to give him to me. That little dog is worth every bit as much as all the other dogs and I’ll pay full price. In fact, I’ll give you $2.37 now, and 50 cents a month until I have him paid for.”

The store owner countered, “You really don’t want to buy this little dog. He is never going to be able to run and jump and play with you like the other puppies.”

To this, the little boy reached down and rolled up his pant leg to reveal a badly twisted, crippled left leg supported by a big metal brace. He looked up at the store owner and softly replied, “Well, I don’t run so well myself, and the little puppy will need someone who understands!”

Author: Dan Clark

Artist: Norman Rockwell

Posted in Humanity, Story | Tagged boy and dog, friend, understand | Leave a comment

“I spoke about it and it set me free.”

Guest post by internist/cardiologist Dr. Afshine Emrani:

I suffered from clinical depression. I spoke about it and it set me free. I could have hidden it, but it would’ve hidden me. When you hide your pain, it controls you; when you share it, you become free. It also helps others open up, seek help, get support. There’s no shame in being broken. There’s shame in judging broken people. And we are all broken. But, not all of us are free. Most of us live in the closet. Coming out of the closet is not just about your sexuality. Every single day, I meet broken people who hide in the closet. The mother who is quietly suffering from postpartum depression. The obese young girl who can’t stop eating because she hates her body because she was raped by her father when she was 5. The husband who continuously self-sabotages because he never received his father’s approval. The young girl who hides her Insulin pump because she doesn’t want others to think less of her. The young man addicted to sex with strangers because all he wants is for his parents to love him. The first time moms who experience a devastating miscarriage, afraid of never having a child. The parents who divorce because survivor’s guilt is too much to shoulder after the death of their child. The young man who is ashamed of his failing body because he was diagnosed with a rare cancer. The model who self-mutilates because even though she has 3 million followers on Instagram, she doesn’t like herself, because her mother abandoned her when she was 6. We waste too much time trying to convince others what perfect lives we live, while our truth is in the closet. Behind closed doors, past midnight, we live in fear, alone. There is beauty in being vulnerable. There is courage in the truth. There is freedom in opening the closet door and inviting others to see your scars. Sure, a few will judge. They are not your people and you don’t want them around anyway. But, what always happens is that you see a rush of many others come your way to tell you that you are not alone and that they suffer from the same pains, that they share your wounds. There is healing in that freedom. There is strength in that transparency. There is validation in knowing it’s not your fault. We’re all broken. The people who love you despite and because of your scars are your people.
#ModehAni

Posted in Story | Tagged dr afshine emrani, feel free, modeh ani, share, support | Leave a comment

David Archuleta stepping back from Mormon Church: “I need to just live my life, because I already know I’m okay how I am.”

Finishing second on the seventh season of “American Idol”, 31-year-old David Archuleta, who grew up in Utah as a devout member of the Mormon Church, told People in an interview that he had to “take a break from religion” for his own sanity.

Archuleta told his fans on Instagram last year that he came out to his family seven years ago as gay, but had similar feelings for both genders.

“I tried to hide from this all my life, and I can’t. I just had to take a step away,” Archuleta said. “I did not want to weigh out whether it was better for me to live and exist, or if it was better for me not to exist.”

“It hurts me because my religion was everything for me. But you get to a point where you realize there are some things not right here,” he added. “I need to just live my life, because I already know I’m okay how I am.”

Archuleta said that he contemplated suicide because of the church’s doctrine.

“I thought it would be a better choice to just end my life,” Archuleta said.

“You just start feeling like, ‘Oh, there’s probably no point for me to live. I probably would be better off not living anyway. God would probably forgive me if I ended my life because it’s better than what I could become, which is if I’m gay or LGBT of any sorts, I’m going to be in big trouble spiritually,'” he added.

He said he began accepting his identity as part of the LGBTQ community after prayer and conversations with God, as well as with church leaders about Mormonism’s views on the LGBTQ community.

“I can’t keep putting myself in a place where it’s so conflicting where they say, ‘We love you so much, but at the same time, you must change who you are,'” he said.

“I’ve allowed myself to love myself for everything I am, to not be conditioned to shame myself — and to be not ashamed of who I am feels wonderful,” he added. “Because I didn’t think it was ever okay to love myself.”

Happy being himself!

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