There is no mental health without social health. This project engages communities for the meaningful social connections proven to reduce deaths of despair (overdoses and suicides). Free of charge services include facilitated socials, trauma-informed groups, alternative recovery meetings, communication training retreats & courses, and matching individuals for service opportunities among neighbors. These peer-led initiatives will impact 3500 individuals in Asheville, NC and surrounding rural WNC.
With more than 3 in 5 Americans suffering from loneliness, nearly 140,000 deaths of despair in 2020 alone and the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbating social isolation, the need for trauma-informed programming and meaningful social engagement has never been greater. This project will provide SeekHealing's novel social health services in Asheville, NC and the surrounding rural areas, and continue development of our thriving online community impacting 3500 individuals.
SeekHealing heals the fabric of communities by empowering clients to build and maintain healthy relationships through emotional skills training and professionally facilitated prosocial gatherings, online and in-person. Participants in our Asheville, NC community are also empowered to give/receive social support through: rideshare to meetings, delivery of meals or Naloxone (to reverse an overdose), social check-ins, small acts of kindness, or staffing our Listening Line phone system.
Instilling belonging and purpose is critical to rebuilding disconnected communities. Fostering human connection reduces stigma and shame, aiding individual and community mental health. By developing emotional skills such as empathy, trust, fellowship and openness, community members can feel seen and heard. The 3500 community members impacted will increase social capital across communities, and create resilience against deaths of despair in disadvantaged and traumatized families and networks.
This project has provided additional documentation in a PDF file (projdoc.pdf).
