Community is critical for all of us, regardless of our age or mental/physical conditions. As the poet John Donne wrote centuries ago, “No man is an island.” We all need others in order to be healthy and whole in body, mind, and spirit.
Many of us have the ability to connect with others, either through school or work, a strong supportive family, or extra-curricular activities. Surprisingly, many of these people still struggle with emotional feelings of isolation because of excessive use of cell phones and social media, which were designed to bring people closer together but have paradoxically, through “the law of unintended consequences,” created isolation. Connecting through social media or texting has in many ways replaced face-to-face interaction. But human beings need that personal physical interaction to be at our peak mental health.
Other people do not have convenient opportunities to make connections and struggle with isolation, especially the elderly or handicapped, those struggling with mental illness or substance abuse, and those in financial distress. BCHIP and many other organizations throughout Bucks County offer people opportunities to make those important connections.
The YMCA Pathways Program
As the YMCA explains on its Doylestown website, “YMCA Community Impact and Pathway programs are dedicated to making a positive difference in the lives of those in need and in at-risk communities. Our diverse initiatives include support and resources to uplift and empower individuals and families.” The Y Pathways offers free or low-cost programs to connect, learn, and improve health for almost every age group. The programs include:
- Programs for teens (Empower U for teen girls, Stand Up for teen boys, etc.)
- Ability programs for those with special needs
- Healthy Horizons mental health support for adults
- Healthy Lifestyles program
- NORM Running Program for ages 12 and up to learn how to prepare for a 5K
- Senior Community Hub, providing fitness, physical and mental wellness, nutrition, and social activities
- Thrive Cancer Wellness for those recovering or going through treatments
- Veterans Wellness nurturing our veterans in physical and mental health
- We All Wheel wheelchair basketball
Bucks County Government Services
Our Bucks County government offices offer several programs that can help seniors connect with others, which you can find on their website:
Senior Community Centers: There are thirteen senior community centers operating throughout Bucks County providing a variety of recreational and educational programs.
Senior Games: For over 40 years, the annual Bucks County Senior Games have taken place each summer. Participants over 50 years old of any level of ability can enjoy such activities as billiards, bocce, disk golf, bowling, chess, darts, and table tennis.
Transportation: The Bucks County Area Agency on Aging subsidizes transportation to senior centers, medical appointments, libraries, banks, grocery stores, and other important trips. This service is for those 65 and older and for younger people who are disabled or who are on Medicaid.
NAMI
NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) provides NAMI Connection for those with mental health conditions as well as a Family Support Group for their family, friends, and significant others. Groups are flexible in order to support all needs: you can meet weekly, bi-monthly, or monthly, in person or virtually. No one needs to feel alone when dealing with mental health issues.
PA-Navigate.org
For those who are experiencing financial instability, isolation can be a serious problem. The focus on finding sufficient food, housing, or medical care pushes aside all other concerns, and the sense that there is no one to help can create a powerful sense of isolation. But there is help. Whatever a person’s needs, they can find help at pa-navigate.org.
Just put in your zip code and a list of services pops up: food, housing, education, care, work, legal, transit, and more. Click on whatever needs you have and find services near you that can help. You will meet people face to face who really care and who will let you know that you are not alone.
If you have any other needs or would like to speak to someone to help you figure out where to start in tearing down the wall of isolation and connecting with others, contact us here at BCHIP.
