The Loneliness Epidemic: Why We Are More Alone Than Ever Before

🌍 The Loneliness Epidemic: Why We’re More “Connected” Than Ever—Yet More Alone Than Before
Hosted by the Chicago Philosophy Association (CPA)
Western civilization has achieved extraordinary things—science, freedom, creativity, innovation. But in its rapid march toward radical individualism, something precious has quietly eroded: our sense of belonging.
Today, loneliness is not just a feeling—it’s an epidemic. A public-health crisis. A psychological emergency. A spiritual ache at the core of modern life.
We scroll but don’t speak.
We post but rarely connect.
We have followers, but no one to follow us home.
Why? And what can we do about it?
Join us for one of the most important CPA events of the year as we explore how Western culture’s obsession with autonomy, personal branding, hyper-mobility, and self-construction has severed the communal ties that once anchored human life.
And we’re bringing in an exceptional guest speaker—one of the most respected clinical psychologists in Chicagoland, and, yes, Khaldoun’s cousin:

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### Guest Speaker: Dr. Giries W. Sweis, PsyD

Director of Health Psychology, Cook County Health
Dr. Giries Sweis is a licensed clinical psychologist and one of the leading voices on health psychology, chronic pain, and mental-health disparities in the Midwest. He currently serves as the Director of Health Psychology for the entire Cook County Health system—one of the largest public health systems in the nation.

His career spans the Cleveland Clinic, the University of Pennsylvania, Mercy Hospital, Michael Reese Hospital, and Adler University.
Dr. Sweis is an Assistant Professor and holds multiple board certifications—including biofeedback, addiction treatment, smoking cessation, and co-occurring mental-health disorders. His research includes chronic pain, opioid addiction, and health disparities.

In short: he has spent his entire career treating the physical, emotional, and psychological consequences of our society’s disconnection.

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### Date & Time:

Saturday Dec 6th, 6-8pm

### Location: Hampton Social Streeterville

164 East Grand Ave · Chicago
RSVP, ASAP!