Go M.A.D. Podcast
The Loneliness Epidemic: Being a Go-To for Students
September 1, 2026
Doug and Brad Hutchcraft
Loneliness among student-age young people in our world has become an epidemic. A dangerous, even deadly one.
According to the World Health Organization, student-age young people are by far "the loneliest demographic worldwide". They're feeling more lonely, isolated, and without hope for help than ever.
All kids feel lonely, right? Is it really a big deal? Recent studies confirm that "chronic loneliness among young adults is a severe public health crisis that significantly elevates the risk of depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation, and physical ailments comparable to smoking 15 cigarettes a day."
There are many young people in many of our lives - our kids, grandkids, students we teach or coach, students in our churches and youth groups, maybe even a neighbor that mows the lawn.
So what is an ambassador of Christ to do? Here's some hopeful news: these same studies report that "A caring and involved adult can save a young person's life by interrupting the dangerous cycle of the modern loneliness epidemic."
So in this episode, we dig into what’s driving the loneliness epidemic, from social media habits and nonstop comparison to pressure at school, conflict at home, and the lingering impact of COVID-era isolation. We also talk about why it’s a mistake to assume there’s one simple cause or one simple fix. Students need more than advice. They need a trustworthy adult who can step into their world without judgment and stay there long enough to matter.
To make it practical, we walk through an easy framework based on John 10:10: L.I.F.E. You don't want to miss it!
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Go M.A.D. Podcast
Go M.A.D. means "Go make a difference." On this podcast, we discover together how we can make the greatest possible impact through Jesus for the people in our world.
