Conversations And Connections 2025: Stronger Together – The Impact of Social Ties on Public Health

6 pm Reception 6:45 pm Panel Discussion George Mason University, Merten Hall Room 1201 Link to watch virtually will be send to those who RSVP the day of. Is social isolation truly a public health crisis? Dean Melissa Perry is convening national thought leaders for a panel discussion on the impact of loneliness across the life span. This conversation will explore the root causes of social isolation, its psychological and physical consequences, and the broader societal implications of a disconnected world. Panelists will assess the true scope of this issue, asking: How severe is loneliness as a public health challenge? Are we facing a crisis, or is the problem overstated? The discussion will also highlight real-world solutions, from mental health strategies to community-based initiatives, that can help foster belonging and social resilience at every stage of life. Moderated by Melissa J. Perry, ScD, MHS Inaugural Dean College of Public Health Panelists Jawad H. Student, B.A., Government and International Politics, Class of 2025 Former Student Senator, George Mason University Mary Louise Pomeroy, PhD MPH Postdoctoral Research Fellow Center on Aging and Health Bloomberg School of Public Health Johns Hopkins University LaToya Thomas, MRP, BS Principal & Founder, Brick & Story Weave Community – an Aspen Institute Initiative Rachel Wernicke, PhD Associate Dean and Chief Mental Health Officer George Mason University George Mason University