Arizona is one of the loneliest states. What’s causing the isolation among Arizonans?

Arizona cracked a list of the loneliest states in the U.S., coming in at No. 9.

The study from behavioral treatment center Dawn Wellness Centre and Rehab Thailand aimed to determine which states are the most isolated by analyzing several factors from the U.S. Census Bureau’s Household Pulse Survey between April and June.

The analysis examined factors such as the percentage of adults who usually or always feel lonely; those who don’t communicate frequently with friends and family; and those who do not often, or never, get the emotional support they need. Other factors measured were the percentage of adults who rarely or never attend organizations or club meetings and the percentage of adults who attend religious services less than four times a year.

Arizona was named the ninth most isolated state in the U.S., especially due to a high percentage of adults not spending time in group activities. The study found nearly three-fourths of adults never attend meetings of clubs or organizations or do so less than three times a year. A similar share of adults attend religious services less than four times a year, according to study findings.

Here’s a roundup of the states where the feeling of loneliness is most and least prevalent in the U.S., according to the Dawn Wellness Centre and Rehab Thailand, as well as some resources for people coping with isolation in Arizona.

What are the top 10 loneliest states in the U.S.?

Seven of the 10 most isolated states in America are in the West/Southwest. These are the top states for loneliness indicators, according to the study:

1. Nevada
2. New Mexico
3. Alaska
4. Texas
5. Washington
6. Oregon
7. Georgia
8. Oklahoma
9. Arizona
10. California

How many people feel lonely in America?

Dawn Wellness Centre and Rehab Thailand’s study comes as America faces an “epidemic of loneliness and isolation.”

A poll from the American Psychiatric Association in January found that 30% of adults experienced feelings of loneliness at least once a week over the past year.

Following the COVID-19 pandemic, the previously “underappreciated” public health crisis has gained awareness as its harm on individual and societal health become more evident, U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy said in a statement last year.

Murthy released an advisory in 2023 addressing the lack of connection and loneliness in America. Murthy said he didn’t view loneliness as a public health concern when he first took office in 2014, but conversations with Americans revealed that “social disconnection was far more common” than he had realized.

Loneliness is associated with a greater risk of cardiovascular disease, dementia, stroke, depression, anxiety and other health problems, according to the advisory. Loneliness and social isolation “increase the risk for premature death by 26% and 29% respectively.

“Given the significant health consequences of loneliness and isolation, we must prioritize building social connection the same way we have prioritized other critical public health issues such as tobacco, obesity, and substance use disorders,” Murthy said in the statement.

Here’s what to do if you feel isolated

University at Buffalo social psychologist Shira Gabriel’s research shows antidotes to loneliness can be found in simple places.

These include regular interactions, called “weak connections,” or acquaintances people make during everyday interactions. However, those opportunities for human connections might decrease as “a lot of what people do is more automated than before” and remote work is more common, Gabriel told USA TODAY.

Grabriel suggested community as a way to alleviate isolation, from attending religious gatherings to group events. Murthy suggested people take 15 minutes a day to reach out to someone they care about and look for ways to serve others to prevent feelings of loneliness, according to USA TODAY.

Kristina Sabetta, executive director with Nami Valley of the Sun, told The Arizona Republic that isolation has become more prevalent both in the state and nationally following the rise of social media. Depression and suicide rates have also seen spikes in recent years.

“Isolation is a huge factor when we look at depression and suicide rates,” she explained. “We need to do something about it, we need to let people know they’re not alone, and that there are resources out there to help them find connections and build community.”

Some tips from Sabetta to cope with isolation include:

• Turn your phone down: Sabetta explained social media plays a major role in contributing to feelings of isolation, especially among young people. She suggested people turn off their phones and spend more time with people they love.
• Attend workshops and group activities: Sabetta said attending workshops, classes and other group activities can help people build connections, make friends and have fun. If it’s harder to find a community or group in your area, Sabetta suggested joining Televeda, a website that makes it easy to find interactive classes and expert workshops with vetted instructors conducted by local and national community centers.
• See a licensed health provider: Sabetta suggested seeing a mental health provider if the feeling of isolation becomes stronger or more persistent or if you experience more symptoms of depression for longer than two weeks.

Resources for people coping with isolation in Arizona

If you need additional help, here are some mental health resources available to Arizona residents coping with isolation:

• National Crisis Line: 988. Call the national crisis line if you or a loved one is experiencing a mental health crisis or emergency.
• Warm line: 602-347-1100. The warm line is a non-crisis line that operates 24 hours a day, every day of the year, to offer support and resources.
• 211: Arizona 211 is a community information and referral line that connects people with the resources they need. You can also visit 211.org/get-help/mental-health for more information about mental health resources.
• Arizona NAMI: The organization offers people support groups, educational courses, and more resources for people dealing with mental health issues and family members. For more information, you can call Information and Resources Coordinator Andy Arnowitz at 480-994-4407. Arnowitz connects people all across Arizona with mental health resources as a free service offered through Copa Health. “My voicemail is always open and I always return calls,” Arnowitz told the Republic.
• Televeda: The online platform makes it easy to find interactive classes and expert workshops with vetted instructors conducted by local and national community centers, helping people build human connections and learn more about their interests.