March 19, 2024

New York, March 19, 2024 – The Foundation for Art & Healing (FAH) is thrilled to announce that Emmy Award-winning actor and director Steve Buscemi will serve as an ambassador for Project UnLonely Films. This unique initiative, now in its 7th season, stands as the only portfolio of short films that explore the diverse facets of loneliness and connection through multiple genres, from dramas to comedy, live action to animation.

Mr. Buscemi joins filmmaking luminary Michael Paseornek, former president of LionsGate Films, who has served as an ambassador to Project UnLonely Films since 2017. Together, their involvement highlights the power of film to evoke deep emotion, spark meaningful conversations and change lives. Mr. Buscemi will help to expand awareness and appreciation of Project UnLonely Films, while also working with FAH to support the mental health of the filmmaking community by participating in live webinars with selected creators in the upcoming season.

Mr. Buscemi’s latest film, The Listener, which he directs and stars Tessa Thompson, also shines a light on mental health issues. It tells the story of a helpline volunteer who is part of the small army that gets on the phone every night across America, fielding calls from all kinds of people feeling lonely, broken and hopeless. This timely, character-driven drama will be released by Vertical on March 29, 2024.

“I am honored and excited to support Project UnLonely Films and its timely and compelling work,” Buscemi stated. “Film has a unique ability to shine a light on important issues, explore what divides us, and bridge those gaps. Loneliness is something many of us have experienced, and through these films, we have the opportunity to better understand it and foster empathy, compassion, and healthy behaviors. I’m so glad that The Foundation for Art & Healing has made Project UnLonely Films its signature initiative.”

Jeremy Nobel, MD, MPH, President and Founder of The Foundation for Art & Healing, expressed gratitude for Steve’s generous leadership in promoting Project UnLonely Films and its unique benefits.

“We are immensely grateful to have Steve Buscemi join us as an ambassador for Project UnLonely Films. His dedication to the arts and belief in the power of film aligns perfectly with our mission to address loneliness through creative expression. Steve’s involvement will undoubtedly help us reach new audiences and further the conversation around loneliness. Together, we can make a meaningful impact by fostering connections and understanding through the medium of film.“

Project UnLonely Films continues to evolve as a vital platform, showcasing the potential of film to evoke positive change in individuals and communities. The Foundation for Art & Healing looks forward to the launch of its 8th season in a virtual event on June 2, 2024, where Steve Buscemi’s passion for storytelling will undoubtedly contribute to the success of Project UnLonely overall.

Register for the June 2nd launch event here. The event can also be found at www.artandhealing.org/events.

The library of 70+ Project UnLonely Films is open to all at https://www.artandhealing.org/project-unlonely-films/

For media inquiries, please contact:
Chris Doucette, chris@artandhealing.org

About The Foundation for Art & Healing

The Foundation for Art & Healing (FAH) champions creative arts expression as a path to improved health and wellbeing for individuals and communities. We do this through programs that are rooted in medicine and science, and by leveraging collaborative partnerships that sustain our efforts and amplify our reach.

About Project UnLonely Films

Project UnLonely Films is the only readily accessible portfolio of short films exploring the theme of loneliness from diverse perspectives. Now in its 7th season, Project UnLonely Films addresses loneliness by raising awareness, reducing stigma, and prompting the sometimes messy but necessary and important conversations that connect us.

May 17, 2023

As far back as 20,000 years, our ancestors were telling stories and expressing themselves through art, including cave paintings, sculptures and carvings. Throughout our history, humans have been driven by the urge to create and express themselves through various mediums like art, literature, and music. These modes of creative expression allow us to share our stories, helping us to relate to one another, understand the world around us, and feel less alone.

Storytelling is not only a common thread that binds us throughout our history, it is a personal way of revealing our authentic selves. Telling your story or listening to someone else’s story brings us together. Think about it—haven’t you ever felt a strong sense of connection with someone after hearing their story?

Conversations Lead to Connection

An authentic and meaningful conversation can energize and inspire. Conversation is not just a way to exchange information—it can also be a form of storytelling and self-expression. When we engage in conversation, we have the opportunity to share our experiences, ideas, and perspectives with others, and to learn from theirs. This experience enriches our lives.

Engaging in conversation is a non-threatening way to connect with people of all ages and in any situation. When we converse, we create an opportunity for people to express who they are and what they care about, which promotes a sense of wellbeing, belonging, and connection. Meaningful conversations create bonds of trust that open space to ask deep questions and listen more intently.

Here are a few things to remember when trying to foster deeper conversations and deeper connections: listen without distraction, show genuine curiosity by asking thoughtful questions, practice empathy, make others feel appreciated and valued, and resist the inclination to judge.

Film Brings Us Together…Join Us!

Film is one of the most universal ways to tell stories, connecting us by helping us understand and relate to each other’s different perspectives. The UnLonely Film Festival aims to connect us through our shared experiences of loneliness and isolation. Register now for the UnLonely Film Festival Season 7 Virtual Launch Event on Sunday, June 4th, 2023 at 7pm ET.

At The Foundation for Art & Healing, we think that conversation can power your own Project UnLonely by understanding what is most important to you, sharing your story with others, and getting connected.

May 3, 2023

We spend so much of our lives at work. It’s no surprise that our workplaces have a significant impact on the quality of our lives and our mental and physical health. Ideally, our work environment energizes and inspires us. It is also the place where we develop relationships and find opportunities to form meaningful connections. But COVID-19 has drastically altered our workplaces, and feelings of loneliness and disconnection at work have surged since the pandemic’s onset. In our current reality of working from home and seemingly nonstop screen time, how connected do you feel to your colleagues?

A 2022 survey from the Society of Human Resource Management found that a staggering 8 out of 10 employees (82 percent) feel lonely at work. This rise in workplace loneliness is taking a negative toll on our mental health and productivity, leaving us feeling stressed out and burnt out. Feelings of loneliness stem from the difference between the social connections we desire and the ones we actually have. Feeling left out or unwelcome is another aspect of loneliness. We know that loneliness takes a toll on our mental, physical, and social health, which is why developing meaningful social connections is so important. Work has always been an important place for finding these connections.

Redefining the Workplace: Why, Where, and How Do You Work?

The COVID-19 pandemic and economic uncertainty have led a growing number of workers to search for greater meaning and purpose in their jobs, driven by a desire to align their work with their personal values.

With the rise of remote and hybrid work environments, fostering authentic connections among coworkers is an increasingly difficult challenge. Over 70 percent of remote workers feel like they aren’t able to socialize enough, even though forging close connections with colleagues can significantly enhance our career prospects, job satisfaction, and sense of belonging.

When most of our interactions with coworkers happen online, it can feel like something is missing. Without the ability to pick up on body language and other subtle cues, it’s harder to build deeper relationships with colleagues. The continued uncertainty about work-from-home and hybrid environments has left many feeling anxious and depressed.

Prioritize Engagement & Connection

First, whether you’re an employee or an employer, it’s important to recognize that connection is critical to health and wellbeing, as well as strongly linked to job satisfaction and performance. There are group activities that can foster social connections with your coworkers, like volunteering, joining employee resource groups, or participating in stress/burnout programs. At The Foundation for Art & Healing (FAH), we believe that engaging in arts-based activities promotes self-awareness and enables authentic, meaningful self-expression. With creative expression, you share a little about yourself and connect. Whatever you choose to do, it’s important to seek out opportunities to build relationships and to prioritize getting to know and connecting to your colleagues.

Many organizations are struggling to fill job vacancies and retaining quality workers is essential to the success of any organization. Actively fostering a sense of connection to colleagues—and to the work itself—provides the opportunity for healthier, happier employees and work environments.

Our Project UnLonely initiative brings artmaking and creative expression to workplace wellness and DEI with a focus on building employee connection. To learn more, visit our Workplace UnLonely webpage.

April 14, 2023

Are you curious about the growing buzz around mindfulness and how it can make your life better? This transformative practice has become increasingly popular for good reason. Not only does mindfulness enhance self-esteem, conscientiousness, and empathy, but it also reduces anxiety. Mindfulness also significantly improves our interpersonal relationships.

Loneliness is often experienced as a sense of disconnection with oneself, and it’s a good place to start on a personal UnLonely journey. Have you had moments in your daily life when you found yourself immersed in the present, feeling as though time had paused just for you? In those instances, do you notice you’re intentionally more aware of your surroundings or more in tune with your senses? Welcome to the world of mindfulness, an empowering experience that can transform your psyche with many positive benefits.

Consider this when you feel lonely: Stay right where you are and sit with your feelings. Now, practice mindfulness to create space to acknowledge and try to understand your own emotions. You’ll gain greater insight and compassion for yourself, which in turn makes it easier to authentically connect with others.

Mindfulness can unlock deeper connections with others, while honing essential life skills. By incorporating mindfulness into your daily routine, you’ll discover the power to:

• Observe your experiences as they unfold, moment to moment
• Enhance your ability to express your personal experiences with words
• Engage in life’s activities with heightened awareness and intentional participation
• Embrace a non-judgmental mindset, accepting your experiences with open-mindedness

Embracing Mindfulness in Diverse Settings

Have you noticed that mindfulness seems to be everywhere these days? As research continues to support its numerous benefits, the practice of mindfulness is gaining popularity in a variety of settings. From schools and workplaces to healthcare facilities, more institutions are turning to mindfulness to help reduce stress and anxiety.

Research shows that mindfulness reduces teachers’ and students’ stress levels, resulting in better learning outcomes. When educators learn and practice mindfulness, they’re more likely to experience less burnout, create more emotionally supportive classrooms, and maintain better classroom organization. Students who receive mindfulness education show improvements in cognitive outcomes, social-emotional skills, and overall wellbeing.

Being Present in Your Daily Life

The beauty of mindfulness lies in its accessibility—you can embrace it anytime, anywhere. You don’t need a distant mountain retreat or an expensive workshop. Practicing mindfulness can be as simple as setting aside time for meditation, inserting short pauses into your daily routine, or merging meditative practices with other activities like yoga and sports. With just a few easy techniques, you can seamlessly integrate mindfulness into your everyday life, improving your health and wellbeing.

A Way to Navigate Loneliness

The Foundation for Art & Healing’s Project UnLonely initiative incorporates mindfulness along with creative expression in virtually all of its programs as a tool for getting in touch with oneself and feeling more connected with others.

You can learn more about our Project UnLonely portfolio of programs on our website.

April 5, 2023

Do you love getting lost in a painting, humming along to your favorite song, or jotting down your thoughts in a journal? Well, here’s some great news—not only is it enjoyable, but it’s actually good for your brain and your relationships! Creative expression can help you feel more connected to yourself and those around you, leading to improved mental health and a boost in self-esteem.

Get Creative to Boost Your Mental Health and Feel Connected

Our ability to think outside the box and come up with unique ideas stems from the dynamic interplay between two important brain regions—the hippocampus and default network. The hippocampus allows us to piece together experiences, whether that’s reminiscing about the past or imagining exciting possibilities for the future. Meanwhile, the default network is a part of the brain activated during passive or spontaneous activities. When these two brain regions work together, we’re able to spontaneously generate new ideas and then analyze them critically.

The theory of cognition proposes that creativity isn’t just a nice-to-have, it’s an essential part of what makes us human. Being creative can help us combat feelings of depression and isolation, as well as give us a better sense of ourselves and our emotions. Our signature initiative, Project UnLonely focuses on the transformative power of creative expression in all its forms, including art, writing, and music.

Be UnLonely through Art, Writing, and Music

Did you know that artistic self-expression can actually help you build a stronger sense of self and work through complex emotions? By tapping into your artistic side, you can express feelings and emotions that are sometimes too hard to put into words. When you let your creative juices flow, you can reduce anxiety and stress, and improve your overall well-being. You don’t even need to be an artist to benefit from art. Simply immersing yourself in art can have a positive impact on your brain! Viewing art that you find beautiful increases blood flow to the brain, producing a “pleasure” response which makes you feel great.

Expressive writing has been shown to enhance our health and happiness in many ways. For example, studies have shown that writing can be beneficial in controlling and reducing the severity of pain, and in alleviating depression. When you’re writing, all parts of your brain are actively engaged. Through writing, we can uncover deeper truths about ourselves and connect with others through shared experiences.

Like art and writing, music is another powerful tool that can bring people together. It also promotes trust, empathy and stress relief. In fact, listening to music releases oxytocin in the brain, a hormone that plays a key role in promoting positive social bonds and helping us feel more calm and relaxed.

Forging meaningful connections through creative expression can help us create a happier and healthier future. Check out our Project UnLonely webpage to learn more about how we’re using creative expression to empower people and communities to connect with each other.

March 22, 2023

How Our Brains Process Loneliness

Our brains see loneliness in a similar way to hunger. Brain scans show that the same regions of the brain are activated when someone who hasn’t eaten in hours sees pictures of delicious food and when someone who has been alone for hours sees pictures of happy groups of friends.

This activity is found in a part of the brain called the default network, which springs into action during passive activities and when we speak, reason, and think about the future. Interestingly, this network is also activated when we think about other people and what their actions mean. This heightened brain activity in the default network can lead to a rich imaginary social life where we may even attribute human-like qualities to our pets. This tendency, while not necessarily problematic, can make real-life social interactions seem less satisfying in comparison.

In a 2021 study researchers found that chronic loneliness can have a significant impact on the structure of our brains. People who lacked social connections had a smaller orbitofrontal cortex, which is a part of the brain that processes rewards, like the benefits of social interactions. As a result, chronically lonely individuals may struggle to interpret other people’s actions and understand their intentions. 

Loneliness affects not only the structure of our brain but our perception and interactions with others. It is associated with reduced trust in others less, discomfort with physical touch, and a preference to stand farther away from strangers. A 2021 study found that when lonely people played a trust-based game, a region of their brains called the insula, which is linked to examining our “gut feelings,” is not very active. This suggests that trust is a major factor in how we interact with others when we’re lonely, and interventions targeting trust could be part of the solution to loneliness. 

The Power of Creative Expression

Loneliness can have a serious impact on our mental wellbeing, but the good news is that creative expression can be a powerful tool in stimulating our brains and enhancing our wellbeing. Engaging in the arts can have a positive impact on our mental health, as it influences the reward circuitry in the brain, called the medial forebrain bundle, which can be linked to the default network. For instance, listening to music engages our brain’s endorphin system which relieves pain and stress, and the endorphins released in the brain during musical interactions are linked to social bonding behaviors. 

By understanding the science behind loneliness and actively making efforts to connect with others through creative expression, we can create a happier and healthier future. Check out our Project UnLonely webpage to learn more about raising awareness of the loneliness epidemic and empowering people and communities to connect with each other through the arts.

Our Blog

by Reji Mathew, PHD, LCSW, REAT
Arts Reporter, Arts and Recovery Team, Disastershock.com
Arts Accessibility Advocate, Anti-Racist Art Educator

August 23rd, 2022

Reji Mathew, Ph.D., LCSW, REAT is an Expressive Arts Educator & Advocate, Integrative CBT/DBT Psychotherapist, and Intermodal Artist living in New York, N.Y.

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Pronouns: She, Her, Hers