The Epidemic of Disconnection: Why Relationship Skills Are the New Mental Health Crisis Response

By Dr. David M. Mabry
Encompass Executive Director

We are living in what experts are calling an epidemic of disconnection. 

Despite being the most digitally connected generation in history, people report feeling more isolated, anxious, and emotionally exhausted than ever before. The numbers are staggering: rates of anxiety and depression have risen more than 25% globally since 2020, and loneliness has become a public health concern on par with obesity and smoking. 

In 2023, the U.S. Surgeon General released a landmark Advisory on the Healing Effects of Social Connection and Community, declaring that the lack of meaningful relationships is now “a major contributor to poor mental and physical health.” Research cited in the advisory shows that chronic loneliness increases the risk of premature death by 26–32%, rivaling the effects of smoking 15 cigarettes a day. 
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Let that sink in: our relationships—or lack of them—are literally a matter of life and death. 

Disconnection Is the New Crisis 

We talk often about physical fitness, nutrition, and therapy. But rarely do we talk about relationship fitness—the intentional effort it takes to communicate, resolve conflict, and sustain connection. 

We’ve built a society that rewards independence and productivity, but undervalues interdependence and empathy. We work longer hours, move more frequently, and spend more time behind screens than in shared spaces. Many of us have forgotten how to talk, listen, and repair when relationships break down. 

And yet, as the Harvard Study of Adult Development—an 85-year longitudinal study tracking over 700 individuals—concluded: 

“The clearest message from decades of research is this: good relationships keep us happier and healthier. Period.” 

That study found that strong relationships are the single best predictor of long-term happiness, emotional well-being, and even physical health—more than wealth, fame, or career success. 
In other words, relationships are not just nice to have; they are essential to human thriving. 

The Mental Health Link 

When relationships suffer, so does our mental health. The American Psychological Association (2024) reports that loneliness and social disconnection are linked to higher levels of anxiety, depression, and even cognitive decline. Conversely, healthy, supportive relationships improve emotional regulation, lower cortisol (the stress hormone), and strengthen the immune system. 
Every therapist and counselor will tell you—so much of what people bring into the counseling room stems from relational pain: unresolved conflict, emotional neglect, or isolation. 

But here’s the hopeful truth: relationship skills can be taught, practiced, and strengthened. 
Just as we train for physical or professional growth, we can learn how to listen deeply, express empathy, manage conflict, and build trust. Relationship education is one of the most evidence-based, cost-effective, and life-changing interventions for improving mental health outcomes. 

The Role of Relationship Education 

At Encompass Connection Center, we’ve seen firsthand how relational learning transforms lives. 
Through our RINGS Experience (for couples) and REACH Experience (for individuals), we teach practical, research-based skills that help people grow in connection, communication, and emotional safety. These skills—what psychologists might call “relational intelligence”—directly counter the forces of isolation and anxiety. 

When couples and individuals learn how to truly listen, forgive, and repair, their entire emotional landscape changes. Stress diminishes. Hope grows. They feel less alone. 

Relationship education isn’t therapy--it’s prevention. It’s equipping people with the tools to stay healthy and connected long before crisis hits. 

Connection at Home and Work 

And this isn’t just a “home” issue. It’s also a workplace issue. 
According to Gallup’s 2024 State of the Workplace Report, employees who report having “a best friend at work” are seven times more likely to be engaged in their jobs and significantly less likely to experience burnout. 

In our Work Smart, Live Well program, we help organizations cultivate healthier communication and relational trust among teams. When people feel seen, supported, and connected at work, everything changes: morale rises, performance improves, and turnover drops. 

The same relational principles that build strong marriages—empathy, listening, mutual respect—are the very same ones that build strong teams. Connection isn’t a luxury in the workplace; it’s the foundation of effective leadership and well-being. 

A Spiritual and Social Imperative 

As people of faith, we believe that God designed us for connection. From the very beginning, in Genesis, it was declared: “It is not good for man to be alone.” (Genesis 2:18) 

We were created for relationship—with God and with one another. When we isolate ourselves, something sacred breaks. When we reconnect, something divine begins to heal. 

At Encompass, we see relational health as both a spiritual calling and a community mission. When we strengthen couples, families, and workplaces, we are restoring what’s broken at the most human level. 

Rebuilding Connection—Starting with You 

The epidemic of disconnection isn’t solved through technology or policy—it begins with us. 
It begins when we: 

• Put the phone down and look someone in the eye. 

• Ask a coworker how they’re really doing. 

• Forgive a spouse or friend. 

• Invest in learning skills that bring peace and connection instead of blame and distance. 

You can’t control every stress in the world, but you can strengthen the relationships that sustain you through them. 

If you’re ready to take that step, we’d love to walk with you. Explore The RINGS Experience or The REACH Experience at www.encompasscc.org. These programs have helped thousands build communication, trust, and emotional connection—the essential skills for thriving in today’s disconnected world. 

Because when relationships heal, everything else begins to heal too. 

U.S. Surgeon General (2023). Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation: The Healing Effects of Social Connection and Community.
 Harvard Study of Adult Development (2023). The Good Life: Lessons from the World’s Longest Scientific Study of Happiness.
American Psychological Association (2024). Social Isolation and Mortality: The Critical Role of Connection.
 Gallup (2024). State of the Global Workplace Report. ​