Social connection has been identified as a priority by the U.S. Surgeon General whose
recent advisory about the public health crisis of
loneliness, isolation, and lack of connection in the United States highlights a critical issue that is garnering national media attention from the
Associated Press,
NPR,
PBS,
The New York Times,
Vox, and others, and one that Riggs Director of Research
Katie Lewis, PhD, is researching and publishing about currently.
Two active studies, as part of our
broader research efforts, are underway which employ smartphone-based experience sampling methods to evaluate changes in suicide risk over time. Rooted in the broader Riggs belief that relationships are instrumental in supporting long-term adaptive functioning and resilience, these studies examine how daily interpersonal exchanges, social perceptions and beliefs, and emotional functioning influence short-term changes in suicidal thoughts and impulses. These studies seek to advance understanding of the impact of relationships, emotional functioning, and health on short-term changes in suicide risk, with the goal of informing treatment and advancing clinical knowledge.
Dr. Lewis has also presented findings related to these studies and recordings of those presentations are available to view (and receive free CE/CME credit for) here:
Loneliness can contribute to a variety of mental health issues including depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation, and more. At the Austen Riggs Center, one of our core values is: “relationships are central in human life,” a principle that is applied to every facet of our
treatment program.
If you or someone you care about is struggling with mental health issues and are looking for a different approach, please
contact our admissions team to learn if Riggs might be a good fit.