however, there are now antidotes which empower healing within loneliness
At this moment, it is 5:30 p.m., Saturday, April 18, 2026. We are about to land in an almost brand new 737 Turbo Jet at Nashville International Airport, returning from our 15th Rotary Club Medical Outreach Service to Guatemala. Several of us abruptly woke up at 2 a.m. to catch the first and only 3 a.m. shuttle to a busy third world country airport as 1000+ people hustled for flights to a myriad of places around the world.
This was my 15th Medical Outreach trip to Guatemala with about 20 medical specialists and volunteers from our Hendersonville Rotary Club, who yearly share their skills providing ophthalmology screenings/treatment, medical physical evaluations/numerous treatments for children and adults with medical problems some unusual and rare diseases. Additionally, there is an anesthesiologist who provided gentle light sleep, for very young children, with serious dental challenges, as they received cutting edge treatments.
This was the first year that I was blessed with another psychologist, Dr. Glenn, who is a pleasant, well-trained and experienced clinical/child psychologist most eager to share in the often-complex treatment protocols for individuals who never had an opportunity to receive any psychological help and now their problems have exponentially mounted and they are in a life and death crisis. This year’s Rotary club Medical Outreach Service became a most complex psychological protocol, much like a Mash Unit, we were alone in a third world country with very few options, but with great desire/determination, coupled with years of study and experience, to provide brief, but intensive psychotherapy for four very seriously suicidal patients. Fortunately, we were pleased to assist them through the several hours of treatment which stabilize/resolved the crisis and established a therapy protocol that Guatemala master-levels psychologists were honored to continue the necessary treatments.
The totals Services provided in San Lucas Guatemala, to 1102 patients included 470 medical screening services, 213 dental services, 421 visual treatments, 220 medical pediatric evaluations, and 49 patients treated with counseling/therapy services, though the majority of these patients had significance psychological challenges with trauma (PTSD) and they were so gracious and appreciative for psychological treatment/healing , which they never had the opportunity to receive till now.
There was also a most unusual consultation to seniors’ day program which has shared space with a children’s daycare program, in such a way that elderly receive a variety of learning experiences to socially meet their needs as well as help with nutrition, healthy exercises, as well as Tai Chi self-defense, while children receive nutritional nourishment, along with assistance in developmental and social needs, state of the art in education, including special training in basic computer skills beginning at three years old and scheduled medical/dental treatment.
The most unusual connection between “the young and elderly clients”, which I have not seen before, is a hour-long play, game, or exercise program twice each day so that seniors connect with the 50+ children of various ages, activities, which brings them together creating cumulative human experiences, which includes intellectual, social, and emotional shared experiences, that provides an unusual form of love, appreciation and synergy, promoting a very healthy and emotional/supportive relationship for all, without any loneliness! My observation and interactions surprised me as I did not observe any significant cognitive deficit or dementia with any of the seniors, the majority were in their 80s and 90s. In addition, I don’t recall observing such a happy group of children! Wouldn’t it be great for us to model this ongoing, holistic healthy service, which simultaneously treats loneliness for young and elderly in such a beautiful and effective manner?
As psychologists, we had numerous opportunities to assist several of the children and seniors who were experiencing personal, family, and life challenges and I was very impressive to observe how all the children and seniors interacted so well with each other and how their relationships have empowered all to gently and lovingly improve life for all. There’s no doubt that loneliness has been a challenge for all, however, there was no social isolation, or disconnect from others which took place and there was such an energy which connected each person in this inclusive environment. Particularly in my conversations and at times counseling with the seniors, though they had significant losses which included loss of spouses and friends and even children, each of them stated to me that they don’t ever miss a day in the program. Many of the children are in the daycare program as long as 10 hours because most have single moms, however, the senior day program begins at 10 a.m., includes lunch and usually finishes up by two or three in the afternoon, but only after they have visited with each other.
One of the greatest ways to manage the isolation, anxiety, and depression of loneliness is to step out of our situation and serve others who are in great need. Ironically, the model of Rotary International throughout the world is “Service Above Self”. It may seem counter intuitive, but the more we give to others, in whatever service we provide, the more likely we are to become the recipient of the happiness within the “gifts” we provide.
A final thought…please contact me if you feel inclined to participate in forming a similar senior/children’s day program…. there is healing for loneliness/isolation which compromises the lives of literally millions.
—To speak with Dr. Tim Lynch, PhD., you can call him at 615-504-4357, or email him at tdlynch@bellsouth.net If you want to know more about Dr. Tim check out Psychology Today Practice Directory, or his web: www.thelynchgroup.net
