Maintaining Social Wellness

Don Forsyth

Don Forsyth, a social and personality psychologist and an expert on groups in the Jepson School of Leadership Studies at the University of Richmond, can discuss how human connections and social interaction can be sustained while learning from home, and why it's important to do so psychologically and socially.

"Unlike emotional loneliness, social loneliness occurs when people feel cut off from their network of friends and peers," Forsyth says. "Social loneliness can be countered by reaching out to other people through any (safe) means possible."

Forsyth suggests connecting to play games online can be a way to interact socially while at home.

"Many forms of gaming, especially multiplayer games, have increased levels of social presence - including the ability to share screens and interact with characters," Forsyth says. " It creates this feeling of togetherness, true presence, that you're no longer distant from another person and it completely satisfies the need for belonging."

"Or if you are screen-fatigued after a day of Zooming with your teachers, find a pen pal and try writing a hand-written letter to a classmate or friend."

Contact urnews2use@richmond.edu  to connect with Forsyth.