The Loneliness Epidemic
Featuring Dr. Dixie Meyer, Rev. Mark Buckman, and Kassaundra Schario
Presentation Summary
In this presentation, Dr. Dixie Meyer explores the biobehavioral and neurobiological dimensions of loneliness, distinguishing between objective social isolation and the subjective, evolved emotional pain of feeling disconnected. Attendees will examine how acute and chronic loneliness alters central nervous system processing including gray matter shifts, altered activity in empathy and social threat networks, and reduced neuroplasticity effectively placing the brain in a self-preservation mode that amplifies hypervigilance and social withdrawal. The presentation details the systemic health consequences of prolonged social disconnection, highlighting its role as a chronic stressor that heightens HPA axis activation, impairs immune function, and increases mortality risk by 45%, operating as a risk factor equivalent to smoking or severe obesity for cardiovascular disease, metabolic dysfunction, and cognitive decline. Finally, participants will review vulnerable populations, key protective factors, and actionable strategies designed to help recognize loneliness, reframe negative cognitive expectations around social interaction, and cultivate high-quality interpersonal connections.
There is no cost to attend, but please let us know that you’re planning on coming.
About the Presenters
Dr. Dixie Meyer
Dr. Dixie Meyer, Ph.D., is a Professor in the Medical Family Therapy Program within the Department of Family and Community Medicine at Saint Louis University School of Medicine. She is a licensed professional counselor and the Director of both the Relationships and Brain Sciences Research Laboratory and the MOMs Clinic; a mental health clinic focused on perinatal mental health and families in life transitions. Her clinical research primarily investigates systemic interventions to improve mental health care, focusing on core areas such as emotion regulation, attachment theory, and the role of stress in relationships. Her scholarly work explores the physiological outcomes of relational dynamics, utilizing biomarkers like cortisol to examine interdependence and well-being in families.
Mark Buckman
Mark A. Buckman is a perfectly imperfect child of God. Mark was raised in a house committed to serving others. Mark had the privilege of serving a combined 31 years with the Department of Defense — across the U.S. Army, the Army Reserve, and the National Guard, and later in civilian service with the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency. His career spanned intelligence, tactical and strategic operations, and military and civilian leadership, which included service as an M1 Abrams Crewman, Field Medic, Tactical PSYOP Team Chief, and a direct commission in the Army. He completed five combat tours: two in uniform, and three more in civilian clothes.
Mark speaks on post-traumatic stress from the patient's side of the room. He has completed extensive therapy to address his PTS symptoms, working through Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), EMDR, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), as well as physician-administered ketamine therapy, Stellate Ganglion Block, and eTMS. Few speakers can compare the established talk therapies with the newer interventional treatments from firsthand experience — what each one demands, what each one gives back, and why he kept going back, healing a little more each time.
Today, Mark is the proud father of three amazing young adults, and founder of Veteran Holdings,LLC, a veteran-owned merchant services company in St. Charles County, MO, and serves as Secretary/Treasurer of the BNI Navigators chapter. He lives in St. Peters, Missouri. An axiom Mark would like to hear more often: "Before there was money, there was trust."
Kassaundra Schario
Kassaundra Schario, MA, PLPC, is the Director of Mental Health Ministry at Concordia Lutheran Church in Kirkwood, Missouri, where she works to expand access to compassionate, Christ-centered mental health care. A member of Concordia since 2017, she is passionate about equipping faith communities to better understand mental health and effectively connect individuals and families with appropriate resources.
Kassaundra holds a Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Lindenwood University. As a Provisionally Licensed Professional Counselor, her clinical focus centers on strengthening family foundations through healthier relationships, improved communication, emotional and spiritual well-being. Her professional interests include religious trauma, trauma-informed care, and bridging the gap between mental health professionals and faith communities.
Her community outreach includes developing and facilitating social-emotional skill-building groups for middle school students in faith-based and public schools. She has presented at the American Counseling Association’s ASERVIC Conference in 2024 and Concordia Seminary’s 2026 Theological Symposium, and has presented on treating religious trauma to clinicians at community practices. Through The Gottman Institute, she is Level 1 Gottman-trained, a Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work workshop leader, and a Bringing Baby Home workshop educator.