Loneliness is undermining institutional outcomes across universities globally. Research consistently links loneliness to academic difficulties, reduced wellbeing, and lower institutional engagement. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated these trends, creating a loneliness challenge that persists in the post-pandemic environment—and is intensifying at alarming rates.
Connected: Your Journey from Loneliness to Belonging to Flourishing is a comprehensive, research-validated digital intervention that addresses loneliness at the individual level while delivering measurable institutional benefits. Developed by Dr. Alten du Plessis through Stellenbosch University's Division for Institutional Strategy, Research and Analytics, this 21-tool program provides scalable, evidence-based support for students, staff, and alumni.
By implementing Connected, your institution can:
In May 2023, U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy declared loneliness a public health epidemic, citing devastating impacts on mortality, mental health, and societal wellbeing. Countries including the United Kingdom and Japan have appointed Ministers of Loneliness. The World Health Organization released a 2025 report titled "From loneliness to social connection: charting a path to healthier societies."
Sources: U.S. Surgeon General Advisory (May 2023), Gallup World Poll (142 countries, 2022), Cigna Group Report (2021), Gallup Workplace Research
This isn't just an abstract global challenge. Our own institutional data documents a loneliness crisis affecting both students and staff—and it's getting worse.
The Stellenbosch University Baseline Survey for Incoming First-Years (SUBSIFY) tracked social support indicators across three cohorts (N=9,710 students). The findings are deeply concerning:
| Indicator | 2021 | 2023 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Students with inadequate support | 7.1% | 11.6% | +41% |
| Can't share good news with anyone | 11.1% | 15.4% | +43% |
| No reliable problem support | 12.4% | 17.6% | +47% |
| Very few close friends | 2.1% | 3.4% | +71% |
Translation:
Over 1,000 Stellenbosch staff members answered: "How lonely do you feel at work?" (0=not at all, 10=completely)
Average workplace loneliness: 4.21/10 (2023) — up from 4.07 in 2019
While these averages may appear moderate, international research consistently shows that even moderate levels of workplace loneliness affect engagement, collaboration, and wellbeing. Within our data, a meaningful proportion of staff would benefit from structured support:
These findings align with international trends documented by Gallup and the U.S. Surgeon General. The opportunity is clear: providing accessible, evidence-based resources for building workplace connection could meaningfully enhance staff wellbeing, engagement, and SU's standing as an employer of choice.
Loneliness is a primary driver of student dropout. Research consistently links belonging to retention, academic performance, and completion. When 17.6% of incoming students lack reliable problem support, we're looking at hundreds of students at elevated risk of leaving the university.
Gallup research shows employees with a best friend at work are more than twice as likely to be engaged. When a meaningful proportion of staff experience workplace disconnection, institutions face risks to collaboration, satisfaction, and retention. Proactive intervention sends a clear message that SU values its people.
Loneliness is strongly associated with depression, anxiety, and other mental health challenges. With 815 students showing vulnerability and a meaningful proportion of staff reporting workplace disconnection, our clinical services face growing demand that preventive, scalable intervention could help alleviate.
Students and staff increasingly expect institutions to prioritise wellbeing. When nearly 1 in 4 first-years arrive feeling disconnected and a significant proportion of staff report workplace loneliness, it presents both a challenge and an opportunity — institutions that respond proactively strengthen their reputation as places where people truly belong and flourish.
Loneliness directly impacts key institutional priorities:
Research links loneliness to reduced academic engagement and performance. Belonging is consistently identified as a critical factor in student success. Students who feel connected to their institution show higher levels of academic persistence.
Sense of belonging is a well-documented predictor of student retention. First-year connection to community is particularly critical for persistence. Early intervention can support students through vulnerable transition periods.
Loneliness is strongly associated with depression and anxiety. Addressing loneliness preventively can complement clinical mental health services. Scalable digital intervention extends support capacity beyond limited clinical resources.
Gallup research: Only 2 in 10 employees have a best friend at work, yet those who do are more than twice as likely to be engaged (63% vs 29%). Moving this ratio from 2 in 10 to 6 in 10 yields significant improvements in profitability, safety, and retention.
The U.S. Surgeon General's 2023 advisory documents loneliness' association with cardiovascular disease, dementia, stroke, depression, anxiety, and premature death. Supporting staff wellbeing is increasingly recognized as an organizational priority.
Professional isolation can contribute to staff turnover. Workplace belonging is becoming an important factor in employer attractiveness. Investing in employee wellbeing directly supports organisational commitment and competitive advantage in talent markets. Institutions that proactively address staff connection and flourishing position themselves as employers of choice — a critical differentiator when competing for top academic and professional talent.
Loneliness intervention positions your institution as:
Connected is a comprehensive digital course delivered through FlourishIQ, providing:
Each tool follows a research-backed three-phase process:
The program serves multiple institutional stakeholders:
Connected is grounded in peer-reviewed research from leading scientists:
The course integrates insights from leading contemporary works:
And many more leading researchers whose work informs every tool in this course.
Connected is a turnkey digital solution — the platform is built, the content is ready, and it can be made available to the entire SU community with minimal effort. Here is the proposed path forward:
100 free spots are available right now for any SU staff member or student who wants to begin the Connected journey. The pilot serves several purposes:
Enrollment is open now: Join Connected →
Once pilot data demonstrates engagement and value, the next step is securing institutional funding to:
The digital format means there are no per-user material costs and no scheduling constraints. Once funded, Connected can serve the entire institutional community at marginal additional cost.
Beyond serving SU's own community, Connected represents a potential additional income stream for the university:
Offer Connected to SU alumni on a subscription or once-off basis — extending institutional support beyond graduation while generating revenue.
License Connected to other universities, both nationally and internationally. The content is institution-agnostic and addresses a universal challenge — every university faces the same loneliness crisis.
Workplace loneliness is a documented productivity and retention challenge. Connected can be adapted and licensed to companies seeking evidence-based employee wellbeing solutions.
License the course to wellness coaches, psychologists, and HR consultants who can integrate it into their client offerings — creating a scalable distribution model.
This positions SU not just as a consumer of wellbeing resources, but as a developer and exporter of evidence-based intervention — reinforcing the university's research identity and generating sustainable returns on the initial investment.
Connected supports strategic priorities across higher education:
Addresses retention, completion, and holistic student development priorities. Preventive intervention complements reactive crisis response.
Research shows loneliness can disproportionately affect some student populations. Belonging interventions may support equity goals.
Extends capacity of counseling services through preventive, psychoeducational intervention. Complements clinical services without replacing them.
Demonstrates institutional commitment to staff flourishing. Addresses workplace isolation in contemporary work environments. Contributes directly to SU's standing as an employer of choice by showing tangible investment in the connection and wellbeing of every staff member.
Showcases institutional capacity for evidence-based program development. Potential for research on implementation and effectiveness.
Offering to alumni and broader community strengthens institutional relationships and extends impact beyond enrolled students.
Most institutions address loneliness through:
Few institutions provide comprehensive, evidence-based, scalable, skill-building intervention specifically for loneliness.
Based on research on loneliness interventions, institutions implementing Connected may observe:
Note: Actual outcomes will vary based on implementation approach, participant engagement, and institutional context.
Connected is designed as a self-paced digital course — participants work through the 21 tools at their own pace, on their own schedule. The platform handles all content delivery, progress tracking, and reflection storage automatically.
For groups that would benefit from more structured delivery — such as first-year orientation cohorts, residence groups, or staff teams — the course can be enhanced through facilitated sessions. Counsellors, student support staff, or trained facilitators can guide groups through the material, unlocking richer discussion and shared learning while the digital platform continues to handle the individual assessment and reflection work.
Loneliness is increasingly recognized as a significant challenge affecting student success, employee wellbeing, and institutional outcomes. Countries have appointed Ministers of Loneliness. The U.S. Surgeon General has declared it a public health epidemic. The World Health Organization has called for global action.
Our own Stellenbosch data documents the crisis in our community:
Your institution can respond with evidence-based intervention that:
Let's discuss bringing Connected to your institution.
"Loneliness is a significant challenge in contemporary higher education. Universities are uniquely positioned to provide evidence-based intervention—bringing together research knowledge and the developmental context where connection skills can be powerfully learned. Connected represents that intersection of research and practice, offering institutions a structured approach to addressing loneliness in their communities."
Well-being & Student Success & Development Strategist
Integrated Data Analytics Team, Institutional Strategy, Research and Analytics
Stellenbosch University
Academic: PhD in Applied Mathematics, Stellenbosch University
Positive Psychology & Flourishing (The Flourishing Center, New York):
Certificate for Applied Positive Psychology (CAPP) · Certified Flourishing Skill Group Trainer (FSG™) · Certified Bouncing Back Better Resilience Trainer (B³)
Coaching Certifications (Spencer Institute):
Certified Wellness Coach (CWC) · Certified Sports Psychology Coach (CSPC) · Certified Sports Hypnosis Coach
Sports Performance: Golf Psychology Coaching Certificate · Certified McMillan Running Coach
Brain Health (Amen Clinics):
Certified Brain Health Coach · Licensed Brain Trainer
20+ years implementing positive psychology interventions in higher education, with a proven track record of evidence-based programme development and deep institutional knowledge of university populations.
Dr. Alten du Plessis
Integrated Data Analytics Team, Institutional Strategy, Research and Analytics
Stellenbosch University
[email protected]
Platform: FlourishIQ (www.flourishiq.co.za)
Course: Connected: Your Journey from Loneliness to Belonging to Flourishing
Enroll: Join Connected →