New law designates September as Chronic Loneliness Awareness Month

Sen. Rafael Santos Ortiz

By The Star Staff

District 6 (Guayama) Sen. Rafael “Rafy” Santos Ortiz expressed his gratitude on Sunday to Gov. Jenniffer González Colón for signing Senate Bill 428 into law, which is now Law 50-2025.

The measure, authored by Santos Ortiz along with Sens. Luis Daniel Colón La Santa (Humacao District) and Héctor J. Sánchez (Carolina District), declares the month of September of each year as “Unwanted or Chronic Loneliness Awareness Month in Puerto Rico” and the 25th of that month as “Unwanted or Chronic Loneliness Awareness Day.”

The senator emphasized that the legislation seeks to educate, raise awareness, and promote the development of programs that address the consequences of chronic loneliness, especially in vulnerable populations such as older adults, young people, and people with mental health conditions.

“The scientific evidence is clear: unwanted loneliness is linked to increased risks of depression, cognitive decline, and even suicide,” Santos Ortiz said. “With this designation, we seek to articulate responses through public policy and the development of programs that prioritize emotional well-being and community integration.”

“Thanks to the Governor’s signature, today Puerto Rico joins the global effort to make unwanted loneliness visible as a public health issue,” he added. “This law is a vital step toward raising awareness, breaking stigmas, and promoting public policies and initiatives aimed at addressing the emotional and social isolation faced by thousands of people in our communities.”

Santos Ortiz expressed his gratitude for the support of his fellow co-authors and the various professional, community, and mental health sectors that contributed to the development of the measure. He also reaffirmed his commitment to continue promoting legislation with a human focus that responds to the social and emotional challenges affecting citizens in Puerto Rico.

“Unwanted loneliness is combated with presence, listening, and action,” the senator said. “This new law is a call to empathy, solidarity, and to building a Puerto Rico where no one feels invisible.”