We are on a mission to end loneliness. We do this by encouraging and empowering people (like you!) and partners to connect with others who matter in their lives. We share stories and messages to inspire connection and vulnerability. We believe that every life matters and has significance.
It is critical that we end loneliness by encouraging people to share this message.
We End Loneliness With Our Partners
We work with partners to share the message of Only7Seconds, both in the workplace and with customers. From employees wearing our shirts, to coffee shops stamping cups with our messages, we are committed to ending loneliness in the workplace and in local communities.
We End Loneliness Through stories
One way people feel less lonely is by feeling connected through stories. We are gathering/compiling/collecting stories to share through multimedia platforms. We are building a network of vulnerable people with stories to share and connecting them with individuals who feel lonely.
At Only7Seconds, diversity, equity and inclusion is part of our DNA. Only7Seconds is a movement for all people. Loneliness does not discriminate and neither do we. We seek to inspire intentional connection with people of all ages, accessibilities, disabilities, ethnicities, races, genders, sexual orientations, cultures, backgrounds, creeds or religions. To end loneliness, every single person must have a sense of belonging and significance. Because you matter.
At Only7Seconds, diversity, equity and inclusion are part of our DNA. Only7Seconds is a movement for all people. Loneliness does not discriminate and neither do we. We seek to inspire intentional connection with people of all ages, accessibilities, disabilities, ethnicities, races, genders, sexual orientations, cultures, backgrounds, creeds or religions. To end loneliness, every single person must have a sense of belonging and significance.
Respect
empowerment
courage
EXCELLENCE
joy
#only7seconds
we value:
Because you matter.
Executive Director
Director of Programs
School & Youth Program Manager
meet our team
luke wall
denise waters
Marcia Mullett
tap to read more
Content & Communications Intern
Mario gonzalez
meet our board
Donna Lindsay
Kristin Wall
Sheila Hodges
Wendy Bowman
Vincent POwell
Jay kalka
Kerry Mcghie
about loneliness
According to CIGNA, 61% of Americans were lonely in 2019, and that was before extended bouts of mandatory isolation due to COVID-19. Loneliness is not isolation. Isolation is the physical state of being alone, which can often cause loneliness. Loneliness is perceived social isolation or the subjective feeling of being alone. Said another way, loneliness is the inability to connect in meaningful ways that give us a sense of significance and belonging.
Multiple studies have shown the impact of loneliness on mental and physical health. Loneliness has a direct correlation with depression, anxiety, suicide, coronary heart disease, high blood pressure, strokes, and dementia. In fact, studies have discovered that lonely people are more likely to have lower-quality sleep, more immune system dysfunction, more impulsive behavior and impaired judgement.
Alone. Alone in their struggles. Alone in their thoughts. Alone in their pain. Kristin saw firsthand the devastating effects of loneliness. Anxiety. Depression. Eating disorders. Addiction. Suicide.
After years of hearing youth share stories,
Kristin heard a common theme: “I just feel so alone.”
AFTER YEARS OF HEARING YOUTH SHARE STORIES, KRISTIN HEARD A COMMON THEME: “I JUST FEEL SO ALONE.”
In 2018 during a time of suffering, a family member experienced loneliness that led to depression. It occurred to Kristin that we are living in a time with more access to communication, yet there was an alarming increase in loneliness. People scroll through their phone, numbed out and do not stop to intentionally connect. Hearing stories of loneliness, experiencing it firsthand, and recognizing how a simple text could make a difference, was the beginning of Only7Seconds. Timing how quickly a thoughtful text could take, Kristin counted…only 7 seconds! A simple text, smile, handwritten note, a t-shirt, a sign, or a post-it note are ordinary acts that make an extraordinary difference.
From there, Only7Seconds began working with individuals to encourage them to reach out and let people know they mattered. This was as simple as sending a text, wearing a shirt, or putting up sticky notes of “hope” where you work. Community partners and schools began to support the message of Only7Seconds and increase awareness of loneliness and the simplicity of making connections. In 2020, COVID-19 hit the entire world. Isolation, mandatory lock-downs and social distancing has pushed loneliness further into the public conversation. Isolation has led to drastically increased loneliness, along with numerous other mental health concerns. Multiple recent suicides in Washington State have brought to light a growing need for conversation around mental health and connection.
Only7Seconds is now growing with an eye towards the future and eradicating loneliness. Our programming is expanding. For example, SHARE Day (the 7th of each month) is a time specifically dedicated to reminding people to reach out, connect, and know THEY MATTER. We are increasing resources and stories. We are creating a curriculum for schools. We are developing more opportunities for partners to share our message.
Our story, like yours, is still being written. Won’t you join us as we seek to grow human connection and eliminate loneliness?
Luke has worked with nonprofit organizations for over a decade, with experience in management, program development, fundraising, finance, partnership development, and event management. Luke has a degree in Economics and Finance from Whitworth University and a Masters in Business from West Texas A&M University. Luke is married to his beautiful wife, Ashley and has two boys (Gideon-5; Boaz-3) and a baby girl due in the Fall of 2021. Luke joined Only7Seconds in January of 2021 as the Executive Director.
meet luke wall
executive director
Denise Waters is an experienced educator who has served students in urban, rural and suburban locations. As a building and district leader for the past decade, her expertise lies in building relationships that enhance social emotional learning. Prior to her career in education, Denise worked as a marketing and communications professional in both high tech and retail industries. Denise brings a passion for the work of ending loneliness as well as a skillset that ensures detailed operational acumen.
meet Denise Waters
School & Youth Program Manager
Coming from a broad range of creative backgrounds, Marcia works primarily in the day-to-day operations of Only7Seconds. Marcia joined the team in Spring 2020 after seeing the growing need for our message during the start of the pandemic. Whether she is designing materials, overseeing merchandise, or social media channels, there’s always a running task list and that is where she is the happiest. When she’s not working on the next thing on her to-do list, you’ll find her pouring lattes at a local roastery, adding to her podcast cue, or cooking up her latest food obsession in the kitchen.
Meet marcia mullett
Director of programs
Mario is a Lake Chelan High School graduate, currently attending Whitworth University pursuing a degree in Communications. Mario is a freelance Photographer and videographer. He has been volunteering with Only7seconds since the fall of 2020. He enjoys being behind the camera but isn’t afraid to hop in front when needed. Art is his passion. Whether it’s snapping a photo or listening to a melody, this is where he is happiest.
Meet Mario gonzalez
content & communications intern
