You can build authentic social connections—even while physically apart.
We are wired for social connection; our mental health depends on it. From a simple smile from a stranger on the street to a hug from a relative or close friend, we humans thrive when we feel connected to one another. And yet, loneliness is on the rise.
The good news is, you don’t have to continue suffering in silence. In this powerful guide and workbook, renowned mental health expert and addictions counselor Dr Bill Howatt drills into the root causes of isolation and loneliness—including the double-edged sword of digital technology—and shows you how to conquer them to achieve a more fulfilling, enriching life.
Through a compelling mix of real-life case studies, self-reflection exercises, and cognitive behavioral techniques, you’ll learn how to recognize your own self-limiting thoughts and behaviors, unlock your mental traps, and close the social connection gaps in all areas of your life—from the personal to the professional. Employers will also find tips for boosting psychological safety in the workplace and among their virtual teams.
No single pill or exercise offers an escape from isolation; the cure for loneliness lies in a combination of realizing where you’re stuck, and closing social connections gaps in meaningful ways. But if you commit to doing the work, you can become who you want to be. You can have more meaningful social connections. Ultimately, you’ll see that why you feel isolated and lonely may not be as important as what you learn to do with it.
About the Author
Dr. Bill Howatt is the President of Howatt HR and is also currently the Chief of Research, Workforce Productivity at The Conference Board of Canada. He has over 25 years' experience in strategic HR, mental health and addictions, and leadership. William is co-creator of The Globe and Mail Your Life at Work Initiative that touched more than 14,000 Canadians. He has published numerous books and articles, and is a columnist with The Globe and Mail. He holds a Ph.D., Ed.D., Post Doctorate in Behavioral Science.
Industry Reviews
"The Cure for Loneliness gives us the wisdom to understand why connecting is so important. Dr. Bill Howatt offers a practical toolkit for forming authentic connections with friends, family, and communities. Reading this book brought me a deep understanding of how social media can deceive us into thinking that we have an abundance of friends and connections, when we are actually starving ourselves of true human connection."
-Sandra Boyd, National Practice Leader, SVP of Career Transition & Career Management at Optimum Talent
"The Cure for Loneliness provides practical tools for evaluating our social connections, and techniques for developing meaningful relationships in our personal and professional lives."
-Lynn Brownell, President & CEO, Workplace Safety & Prevention Services
"Finally, a go-to guide for anyone struggling with loneliness and isolation. Dr. Bill Howatt inspires confidence, comfort and a shared sense of purpose in this unique call-to-action. The Cure for Loneliness is the first book I've encountered that offers both a step-by-step path out of mental traps, as well as a brightly lit path into positive relationships that will build and protect good mental health."
-Dr. Ryan Todd, M.D. FRCPC, CEO, headversity
"Learn the important difference between solitude, isolation and loneliness-and more importantly, concrete ways of fending off their potential negative outcomes. The book's real-life examples allow us to find hope in unexpected places."
-Louise Bradley, C.M., President and CEO, Mental Health Commission of Canada
"Read it, use it, feel better. Dr. Bill Howatt offers strategies to help you and those you lead reduce loneliness and improve mental health. An insightful and practical read."
-Stuart MacLean, CEO, Workers' Compensation Board of Nova Scotia
"Even if you're not especially lonely, you may still feel there's something missing in your life. Creating authentic connections can make all the difference. Enjoy this interesting read, but also use it to improve the quality of your life by freeing yourself from mental traps."
-Mary Ann Baynton, MSW, Principal, Mary Ann Baynton & Associates
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