Loneliness: The Secret Epidemic | Stephanie Alexander | TEDxGainesville

In this powerful talk, Stephanie Alexander, a lawyer for more than 30 years, shares her fight against the secret epidemic of loneliness and isolation in society. Through her experience handling an unforgettable case of opioid overprescription, she realized the importance of physical and emotional connections. At times both stark and uplifting, her talk delves into the alarming statistics of loneliness and its negative impact on mental and physical health. Stephanie shares her personal experiment in combating the loneliness now so prevalent in society by intentionally connecting with the new people she meets on a deeper level. Join her as we discover the transformative power of genuine human connection-even with strangers, and the role we can all play in creating a more compassionate and less lonely world (especially as an explosion in the use of artificial intelligence threatens to fray the strained ties of humanity even further). Stephanie D. Alexander is a long-time spiritual seeker who has become obsessed with scaling the concepts of kindness, empathy, and compassion as taught by the great sages such as Jesus and the Buddha back into a humanity too often left hurting in isolation and loneliness.
Stephanie uses her experience as an innovative legislative policy and courtroom attorney to try to make the world better for humanity and, as a board member of a consciousness institute, to help spur her mission to help bring humanity back to its spiritual center. Stephanie has been involved in major legal victories that, among other things, have shaped the scope of public education and the rights of pharmacy patients in Florida. Her practice of law shifts how society functions and her practice in life of consciously connecting with other humans opens hearts.
Stephanie holds two degrees, including a law degree, from the University of Chicago. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at www.ted.com/tedx

[@melkaouianas5633]

this ted talk deserves more attention, wonderful talk about real issues that are neglected and lost in this modern world

[@thechitterchatterclub]

Thank you for being ÿou and being a light in loneliness darkness. Well done for getting this legislation in place. Xx

[@latebloomer7191]

She's the attorney who represented the family of the woman in a wrongful death suit, and changed the way pharmacies and pharmacists have to handle narcotics prescriptions in the State. Pretty sure that qualifies her to speak on over-medicating the woman she's talking about.

[@Momowild3230]

That’s why my doctor is terrified to prescribe what I really need.

[@MILGEO]

So you're not an MD but you feel that you know more about this woman's condition than her doctor! There are many people who can't receive relief from pain because of the stigma which has been put on pain medication such as Oxycodone which comes in many different strength's and has become almost a bad word. If she did have an overdose, how do you know that it wasn't intentional? Muscle relaxers like Diazepam are often very helpful for those that are in need of them and also come in different strength's.These are decision's that should be made by a Doctor along with the patient rather than painting pain medication with a broad brush which is making it harder for those that need them to get!

[@stephanietalks]

This woman died directly from being massively overprescribed narcotics and sedatives (some of which should never have been taken together) by her doctor. This fact is not in dispute. But, that's not the point of the video. The point is that there is too much loneliness in the world and we are all suffering in some way. Hence, it brings more humanity back to the world when we engage kindly with others, especially strangers. Take care, friend.

[@allisond.46]

Any medical expert would’ve been able to look at her prescription list and say that what the lethal dose was. Same with potentially fatal interactions. An attorney would’ve gotten that information before going to court.

[@ManuelPinner]

The cure for loneliness is by accepting Our Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior! that's the cure for loneliness!

[@91722854]

really? how do you know that? Jesus was only one man who doesn't speak to you like an alive person is, is it not better to talk to the librarian than just accepting Jesus as whoever you want him to be?

[@juliaarambula3153]

He is my Savior but Im still feeling lonely and crave real human meaningful relationships. They are beyond difficult to find. Christians are the worst to try with from my experience.