Tucson doctors prescribe social connection to fight rising loneliness epidemic

Loneliness is now being recognized as a public health issue in Tucson, with social isolation affecting the mental well-being of people across the city, from college students near the University of Arizona to older adults in eastside neighborhoods.

This comes as both local and national health authorities acknowledge the toll of social disconnection. Research over the past year has pointed to increasing rates of anxiety, depression and even physical health risks associated with loneliness, a trend exacerbated during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. With Tucson’s wellness culture growing, community groups are racing to make connection part of the city’s recovery and resilience strategy.

Tucson’s hubs for connection

On Campbell Avenue, the Tucson Jewish Community Center (JCC) offers daily drop-in classes and group programs specifically designed to foster community for all ages. The JCC’s Silver Sneakers fitness classes have become a staple for older adults who report that the opportunity to socialize is just as important as staying active. For younger residents, clubs and meetups at the YWCA Southern Arizona’s downtown campus provide after-work game nights and weekend potlucks. Across Fourth Avenue, the historic downtown strip, new meetup groups have formed around art walks and community gardening, attracting participants from Menlo Park to Sam Hughes neighborhoods.

Data from the U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory on the Healing Effects of Social Connection and Community, released in May 2023, underscored the severity of the problem: the report found that lacking social connection carries health risks comparable to smoking or obesity, and increases risk of premature death. In Pima County, mental health providers saw a steady rise in loneliness-related complaints beginning in late 2022, mirroring national trends. As downtown Tucson expands and new residents arrive, some long-term locals report that it has become easier than before to feel isolated, even in familiar neighborhoods.

Routes out of isolation

Tucson therapists and wellness advocates recommend taking active steps to build or rekindle connections. Simple strategies include joining group exercise programs at El Presidio Park, volunteering for causes at Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona on Country Club Road, or dropping in at free events like First Fridays at Main Gate Square. Local libraries, such as Joel D. Valdez Main Library on Stone Avenue, routinely host book clubs and language exchanges-offering low-key entry points for those feeling socially rusty.

Locals who want to get involved can look out for new programming in the works this summer, ranging from mindfulness circles at the Loft Cinema to neighborhood barbecues in Arroyo Chico. For many, the message is becoming clear: investing in social ties isn’t just about combating loneliness, but a conscious step in maintaining mental-and physical-health in Tucson’s evolving urban landscape.

For personal mental health advice or treatment, local residents are encouraged to contact a health professional or reach out to mental health services at El Rio Health or La Frontera Center. Community connection may be the first step, but support is available for anyone struggling to cope with stress or isolation.