Living through a global pandemic has taught me to appreciate many things I apparently take for granted. From freely dining in restaurants and large family celebrations to all the times I leisurely shopped without a mask covering my face, I now have a new appreciation for these experiences and look forward to the day when we can once again enjoy social settings without first calculating the risk of exposure.

The many changes, fears, and unknowns that have shaped our daily lives over the past year along with accompanying feelings of grief, stress and anxiety have revealed the importance of socialization with others on our mental health. With so many individuals living in isolation, unable to enjoy in-person visits with family members and friends and limited social opportunities, we have all experienced a lack in the interconnectedness that makes us uniquely human.

When we consider the additional parts of our lives that we missed- school days with peers, the camaraderie of our co-workers, and feeling safe in public spaces, it is not surprising that the COVID-19 pandemic has left an increase in anxiety and depression among individuals and families in its wake.

Several months ago, I had the opportunity to record an interview with Matt and Patrice, long-time members of the Hand in Hand family and parents of the fabulous Miss Olivia. When I asked them to share how the pandemic has affected their family, they emphasized that for their very outgoing 13-year-old daughter, the abrupt end to the fun activities she looked forward to and isolation from her peers had a significant impact on Olivia’s mental well-being. In addition to her whole social life stopping in an instant, Olivia, who loves to greet you with a warm hug, and has a special gift of making sure everyone is included, was at a loss to show her much appreciated affection to others.

As you listen to Matt and Patrice tell their story, I hope you will identify with the struggles they have faced over the past year and understand the importance of social experiences and the availability of safe, welcoming, accessible spaces to improve mental health outcomes and to ensure all members of our community can truly thrive.