GOOD EVENING, I'M JOHN YANG.

TODAY, PRESIDENT TRUMP SEEMED TO SHRUG OFF WORRIES THAT HIS TRADE TARIFFS WILL RAISE PRICES ON EVERYDAY ITEMS FOR AMERICANS AND FORCE SOME TO MAKE DO WITH LESS IN AN INTERVIEW TODAY, BROADCAST ON NBC'S MEET THE PRESS MODERATOR KRISTEN WELKER ASKED ABOUT IF PRICES ON CHILDREN'S TOYS WILL GO UP.

>> I DO NOT THINK AN 11-YEAR-OLD GIRL NEEDS TO HAVE $30.

I THINK THEY CAN HAVE THREE OR FOUR.

HUNDREDS OF BILLIONS OF DOLLARS WITH CHINA.

>> WHEN YOU SAY THREE DOLLARS, ARE YOU SAYING AMERICANS WILL SEE EMPTY STORE SHELVES?

>> I AM NOT SAYING THAT.

JOHN: PRICES ON NEW AND USED CARS ARE LIKELY TO GO UP BECAUSE OF THE TARIFFS ON IMPORTANT AUTO PARTS.

THE EXECUTIVE ANALYST.

THE TARIFF WILL AFFECT PARTS ON CARS MADE IN THE UNITED STATES USING COMPONENTS FROM OTHER COUNTRIES.

IS IT POSSIBLE TO SAY HOW MUCH AND HOW SOON PRICES WILL INCREASE?

>> WE HAVE HEARD MOST AUTOMAKERS WILL HOLD THE SUGGESTED RETAIL PRICE FOR NOW.

WE HAVE HEARD SOME WILL WAIT UNTIL JUNE FOR PRICING.

SOME MAY START ADJUST PRICING THIS MAY.

WE ARE SEEING MORE OF THE PRICING DYNAMIC PLAY OUT BECAUSE OF SUPPLY AND DEMAND.

EVERY AUTOMAKER IS GOING TO HAVE TO FIND A WAY TO AFFORD THESE TARIFFS.

WE DO ANTICIPATE NEW AND USED VEHICLES GOING UP.

JOHN: THE PRESIDENT SEES THE TARIFFS AS AN INCENTIVE TO GET U.S. CARMAKERS TO BRING THE APPLY CHAIN BACK TO THE UNITED STATES.

HOW QUICKLY CAN THAT HAPPEN AND HOW COSTLY COULD IT BE?

>> GOOD QUESTION.

WE KNOW AT A MINIMUM IT WOULD BE 18 TO 24 MONTHS IF YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT BUILDING NEW FACILITY AND PRODUCTION PLANTS - - FACILITIES AND PRODUCTION PLANTS.

WE BELIEVE ASSEMBLY MIGHT BE EASIER WHICH WILL EASE THE TARIFF UNDER VEHICLES CROSSING THE BORDER.

PARTS ARE A DIFFERENT STORY.

MANUFACTURERS HAVE BEEN SPENDING A LOT BUILDING MORE FACILITIES IN THE U.S. JOHN: THE EFFECT ON CONSUMERS, THIS IS NOT JUST ABOUT THE FINISHED PRODUCT.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

WHEN WE ARE TALKING ABOUT THE 25% ON A VEHICLE COMING OVER THE BORDER, THAT IS JUST A NEW VEHICLE.

WE KNOW THE MAJORITY OF CONSUMERS ARE LOOKING IN THE USED MARKET.

IF YOU ARE OWNING -- IF YOU CANNOT AFFORD THE USED CARS, YOU ARE TRYING TO REPAIR YOUR VEHICLE, GET INSURANCE ON THOSE VEHICLES, MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR ARE BOUND TO BE A UNIVERSAL CHALLENGE FOR ALL CUSTOMERS.

NOT JUST INDIVIDUALS LOOKING FOR NEW VEHICLES.

THE PARTS CAME INTO EFFECT YESTERDAY AND THEY WILL BE TARIFFED AT THE 25%.

THAT WILL HURT ALL CONSUMERS ACROSS THE BOARD, THOSE LOOKING FOR NEW CARS AND THOSE NEEDING TO REPAIR OLDER CARS.

JOHN: DOES IT GO BEYOND CONSUMERS?

WILL DEALERS GET SQUEEZED?

>> YES.

EVERY STEP OF THE WAY, ALL OF THOSE SUPPLIERS HELPING TO BUILD THE VEHICLES, A LOT OF THOSE ARE SMALL TO MIDSIZED BUSINESS IS THAT MIGHT BE BUILDING ONE BOLT OR NOT THAT GOES INTO THE VEHICLE, OR IF THE VEHICLE IS PULLING THE VEHICLE ONTO THEIR LOT PAYING MANUFACTURERS FOR THAT AND CHARGING CUSTOMERS TO TAKE THAT CAR.

OHN: WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE SOMEONE LOOKING TO BUY A CAR?

>> WE DO HAVE LOTS OF CHOICE.

PRESIDENT TRUMP WAS SAYING MAYBE WE ONLY NEED THREE DOLLARS INSTEAD OF 30.

MY ADVICE WOULD BE TO BE OPEN-MINDED ABOUT WHICH VEHICLE YOU ARE LOOKING AT.

THERE ARE A LOT OF DIFFERENT MANUFACTURERS.

EVERYONE IS IMPACTED BY THIS DIFFERENTLY.

IT DEPENDS ON HOW MUCH THE TARIFFS ARE GOING TO COST.

IF YOU COULD FIT IN A SUB COMPACT SUV, MAKE SURE YOU ARE LOOKING AT BOTH VARIETIES.

IF YOU TYPICALLY SHOP ONE BRAND, BE OPEN TO ANOTHER.

DO YOUR SHOPPING ONLINE AND USE RESOURCES TO SEARCH AND RESEARCH VEHICLES AND YOUR DEALER, THEY ARE THE BEST RESOURCE FOR KNOWING WHAT IS AVAILABLE ON THE GROUND AND HOW THEY CAN GET YOU INTO A VEHICLE.

JOHN: THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> THANK YOU.

JOHN: DURING THAT INTERVIEW, THE PRESIDENT ALSO SAID DESPITE THE SUPREME COURT DIRECTING HIM TO FACILITATE THE RETURN OF ABREGO GARCIA TO THE UNITED STATES, HE WANTS TO CONTINUE THE MASS DEPORTATIONS.

>> I WAS ELECTED TO GET HIM OUT OF HERE AND THE COURTS ARE HOLDING ME FROM DOING IT.

>> BUT EVEN GIVEN THOSE NUMBERS YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT, DON'T YOU NEED TO UPHOLD THE CONSTITUTION AS PRESIDENT?

>> I DO NOT KNOW.

I HAVE TO RESPOND BY SAYING I HAVE BRILLIANT LAWYERS THAT WORK FOR ME.

THEY ARE GOING TO FOLLOW WHAT THE SUPREME COURT SAID.

WHAT YOU SAID IS NOT WHAT I HEARD THE SUPREME COURT SAID.

THEY HAVE A DIFFERENT INTERPRETATION.

JOHN: MR. TRUMP SAID THE WHITE HOUSE MAY ASK THE JUSTICES TO CLARIFY THEIR DECISION.

IN THE INTERVIEW, MR. TRUMP SAID THE VALUE OF THE MILITARY PARADE THAT COINCIDES WITH HIS BIRTHDAY WOULD OUTWEIGH THE COST PRETTY DOES NOT INTEND TO RUN FOR A THIRD TERM AND WOULD PAY OUT OF HIS OWN POCKET TO BUILD A BALLROOM IN THE WHITE HOUSE.

JOHN: THE IRANIAN BACKED REBELS TOOK RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ATTACK NEAR BEN GURION AIRPORT.

THEY SAY THE STRIKES ARE IN SOLIDARITY WITH THE PALESTINIAN PEOPLE.

HE RUSSIAN PRESIDENT SAYS HE HOPES HE WILL NOT HAVE TO USE NUCLEAR WEAPONS IN UKRAINE.

IN AN INTERVIEW ON RUSSIAN STATE TELEVISION, HE ALSO SAID HE BELIEVES HE CAN BRING THE WAR TO A LOGICAL CONCLUSION.

THE REMARKS CAME AS EMERGENCY WORKERS RESPONDED TO AN OVERNIGHT RUSSIAN DRONE ATTACK THAT INJURED 11 PEOPLE INCLUDING TWO CHILDREN.

STILL TO COME, THE HEROIC WOMEN WHO FLEW COMBAT PLANES IN THE FACE OF DANGER DURING WORLD WAR II.

AND WHY YOUNG ADULTS ARE FINDING THEMSELVES LONELIER THAN EVER.

♪ JOHN: FOR MORE THAN 50 YEARS, MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN FEDERAL GRANTS KNOWN AS TITLE X HAVE FUNDED CLINICS THAT OFFER FREE OR DISCOUNTED FAMILY-PLANNING SERVICES TO MOSTLY LOW INCOME AMERICANS.

IN APRIL, THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION FROZE MORE THAN 65 MILLIONS IN GRANTS FORCING SOME PROVIDERS TO SHUT THEIR DOORS.

WE SPOKE WITH THE ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF WOMEN'S HEALTH AT THE NONPROFIT KFF.

>> THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

TELL US ABOUT WHAT KINDS OF PROVIDERS GET THESE FUNDS AND WHAT TYPES OF SERVICES THEY PROVIDE.

>> TITLE X IS THE ONLY FEDERAL PROGRAM DEDICATED TO PROVIDING FAMILY-PLANNING SERVICES TO LOW INCOME AND UNINSURED INDIVIDUALS.

WE ARE TALKING ABOUT BIRTH CONTROL METHODS, SEXUALLY-TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS, TESTING AND TREATMENT, PREGNANCY TESTING, CANCER SCREENINGS, AND OTHER PREVENTIVE SERVICES.

>> WE KNOW 16 OUT OF 86 TITLE X GRANTEES HAVE RECEIVED NOTICES THEY ARE LOSING FUNDING.

WHY DID THE ADMINISTRATION TARGET SOME CLINICS AND NOT OTHERS?

>> IT IS REALLY HARD TO TELL.

OF THE 16, INCLUDES ALL NINE OF THE PLANNED PARENTHOOD GRANTEES.

AND SEVEN OTHER NONPROFIT GRANTEES.

IN THE LETTERS, THEY CITED DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION VIOLATIONS.

IT HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THEIR GRANT APPLICATIONS BUT THEY CITED PUBLIC DOCUMENTS, PUBLIC FACING JOB POSTINGS THAT SAID THESE ORGANIZATIONS WERE OPPOSING RACISM OR DEDICATED TO ADVANCING HEALTH EQUITY.

>> WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR THE PATIENTS WHO RECEIVED CARE AT THESE CLINICS?

ARE THERE OTHER PLACES THEY CAN SEEK OUT SERVICES?

>> FOR MANY TITLE X CLINICS, THIS IS THEIR ONLY CARE PROVIDER.

THE BENEFIT OF THE TITLE X PROGRAM IS IT PROVIDES FREE AND LOW-COST FAMILY-PLANNING SERVICES TO THESE INDIVIDUALS WHICH IS DIFFICULT TO FIND IN OTHER CLINICS.

THESE CLIENTS MAY HAVE TO PAY OUT-OF-POCKET FOR BIRTH CONTROL OR MAY NOT BE ABLE TO AFFORD CARE.

>> WHERE WILL THESE CUTS BE FELT THE HARDEST IN TERMS OF WHO WILL BE AFFECTED?

>> RIGHT NOW, 23 STATES ARE AFFECTED.

IT IS PRETTY WIDE REACHING.

THE SOUTHEAST U.S. WAS HIT HARDEST, PARTICULARLY RED STATES.

CURRENTLY, MISSISSIPPI AND MISSOURI HAVE NO TITLE X FUNDING BECAUSE OF THE WITHHELD FUNDS.

>> ARE THE STATES EQUIPPED TO FILL THE HEALTH CARE NEEDS IN OTHER WAYS'S >> THESE TEND TO BE STATES WHERE REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH IS NOT A PRIORITY?

CLIENTS WILL HAVE TO FIGURE OUT ANOTHER WAY TO FIND CARE.

THEY COULD GO TO HEALTH CENTERS THAT ALSO PROVIDE FREE AND REDUCED COST CARE.

OTHERS ARE RISKING TITLE X FUNDING.

IT IS A CHALLENGE WHEN THIS IS NOT AVAILABLE TO THESE INDIVIDUALS.

>> KNOWING WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION'S EFFORTS, WE EXPECT THIS TO BE THE LAST OF THE EFFORTS TO RESTRICT TITLE X FUNDING?

DO YOU THINK THERE WILL BE MORE TO COME?

>> I THINK THIS IS JUST THE BEGINNING.

I THINK THEY DID ANTICIPATE THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION WOULD CHANGE THE TITLE X REGULATIONS.

N THE FIRST TRUMP ADMINISTRATION, THEY CHANGED THE TITLE X REGULATIONS TO EXCLUDE ANY CLINICS THAT HAD CO-LOCATED ABORTION SERVICES WERE PROVIDED REFERRALS.

1000 CLINICS COULD NO LONGER QUALIFY TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PROGRAM.

IN PROJECT 2025, THEY HAVE PROPOSED TO REINSTATE THOSE REGULATIONS.

THE OTHER THING IS THERE WAS A PRE-DECISIONAL BUDGET RELEASED.

THE OFFICE THAT DISTRIBUTES THE FUNDS WAS ON A LIST TO BE ELIMINATED.

IT REMAINS TO BE SEEN WHAT WILL HAPPEN WITH THE PROGRAM.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE.

♪ >> WEDNESDAY IS THE 80TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE DAY GERMANY'S SURRENDER TOOK EFFECT ENDING WORLD WAR II IN EUROPE.

A NEW BOOK TELLS OF THE LITTLE-KNOWN CONTRIBUTION 25 WOMEN MADE TO THE OUTCOME BY FLYING COMBAT AIRCRAFT, NOT FOR U.S.

FORCES THAT DENIED THEM THE OPPORTUNITY, BUT INSTEAD FOR BRITAIN'S AIR TRANSPORT AUXILIARY.

EARLIER, I SPOKE WITH THE AUTHOR AND ASKED HER WHAT THESE WOMEN DID.

>> THE BRITISH WERE SO DESPERATE FOR HELP IN THE WAR THAT THEY SOUGHT OUT PILOTS FROM AROUND THE WORLD, EVEN PILOTS WITH INJURIES OR FROM OTHER COUNTRIES OR EVEN WOMEN, TO TRANSPORT AIRCRAFT FROM THE FACTORIES TO THE BASES BECAUSE THEY NEEDED TO HAVE A HUGE NUMBER OF AIRCRAFT MADE AVAILABLE QUICKLY.

THEY ALSO TRANSPORTED DAMAGED AIRCRAFT BACK FROM THE AIRBASES TO WHERE THEY COULD BE REPAIRED, OFTEN NOT KNOWING WHAT WAS WRONG WITH THEM UNTIL THEY WERE HIGH IN THE SKY.

JOHN: HOW DID THE AMERICAN WOMEN GET INVOLVED?

>> THEY WERE ALL PEOPLE WHO KNEW HOW TO FLY AND WANTED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE WAR.

BUT THE UNITED STATES MILITARY WOULD NOT ACCEPT WOMEN AS PILOTS.

BUT THEY HEARD THAT GREAT BRITAIN WOULD ALLOW WOMEN TO FLY, AND THEY WENT TO MONTREAL TO DO A FLIGHT TEST.

25 OF THEM PASSED.

THEY WENT ON SHIPS ACROSS THE SEA TO JOIN IN THE EFFORT.

JOHN: EVEN THOUGH THEY WERE JUST FERRYING PLANES, MOVING THEM AROUND ENGLAND, I IDOES NOT MEAN THEY DID NOT FACE DANGER.

I THINK YOU SAID NEARLY ONE IN SEVEN DIED DURING THE WAR.

>> YES, ONE IN SEVEN DIED DURING THE COURSE OF THE WAR.

THEY FREQUENTLY CRASHED FOR A COUPLE OF REASONS.

ONE WAS THAT THE AIRCRAFT WERE JUST COMING OFF THE ASSEMBLY LINES SO QUICKLY THAT THEY WERE NOT PROPERLY TESTED.

THE PILOTS OFTEN GOT INTO THE AIR AND FOUND THAT A PART DID NOT WORK, THE ENGINE FAILED.

THEY WOULD HAVE TO TRY TO GLIDE DOWN AND FIND A FLAT PLACE TO LAND.

THAT DID NOT ALWAYS WORK.

THEY ALSO ENCOUNTERED THE CHANGEABLE BRITISH WEATHER.

THEY DID NOT FLY USING INSTRUMENTS.

IF THEY SUDDENLY FLEW INTO A CLOUD, THEY WOULD LOSE VISIBILITY AND CRASHED INTO A MOUNTAIN, FLY TO LOW AND HIT A CHURCH STEEPLE.

PEOPLE WOULD BE KILLED THAT WAY FREQUENTLY.

JOHN: THERE WAS A WIDE VARIETY OF PERSONALITIES IN THE GROUP.

WAS THERE ANYONE IN PARTICULAR YOU GREW FOND OF AS YOU RESEARCHED AND WROTE ABOUT THEM?

>> I WAS FOND OF ALL OF THEM.

THEY WERE ALL BIG PERSONALITIES.

THEY CAME FROM ALL ASPECTS OF AMERICAN SOCIETY.

ONE OF THEM WAS A DEBUTANTE FROM ONE OF AMERICA'S WEALTHIEST FAMILIES.

SHE WAS KNOWN AS THE FLYING SOCIALITE.

FROM THE FAMILY OF THE WESTERN UNION FORTUNE.

ANOTHER WAS AN IMPOVERISHED YOUNG WOMAN WITH AN EIGHTH GRADE EDUCATION.

SHE WAS VERY BEAUTIFUL.

WHEN SHE WENT TO ENGLAND, SHE THOUGHT SHE COULD REINVENT HERSELF AS SHE PLEASED.

SHE CAME WITH ONE RED DRESS THAT SHE RECYCLED AND KIND OF AN IMPERIOUS ATTITUDE.

THE BRITISH ASSUMED SHE WAS SOME KIND OF AMERICAN ARISTOCRAT AND SHE WOUND UP JOINING THE BRITISH ARISTOCRACY.

SOMEWHERE STOP PIRATES WHO PERFORMED IN AIRSHOWS.

ONE WAS NAMED HAZEL.

SHE CAME FROM WHAT SHE CALLED A HAT AND GLOVES CHURCHGOING FAMILY.

SHE STUDIED MUSIC IN COLLEGE.

AFTERWARDS, SHE JOINED THE GEORGIA AIRSHOW WHERE SHE PERFORMED LOOPS AND SPINS WHILE THE CROWD SCREAMED IN TERROR.

JOHN: WE SAID THE UNITED STATES HAD NOTHING LIKE THIS AT THE BEGINNING OF THE WAR.

PUT ELEANOR ROOSEVELT IN PARTICULAR WAS CHAMPIONING A U.S.

VERSION OF THAT THAT LED TO THE WASPS.

IT WAS VERY DIFFERENT FROM THE ATA.

>> YES.

ASPS WERE FORMED PARTLY BECAUSE THE AMERICAN OFFICIALS STUDIED THE SUCCESS OF THE FEMALE PILOTS IN BRITAIN AND DECIDED WE WILL ALLOW WOMEN TO FLY DELIVERING AIRCRAFT WITHIN THE UNITED STATES.

IT WAS A VERY DIFFERENT EXPERIENCE FROM BE FREEWHEELING ATMOSPHERE IN GREAT BRITAIN.

THE PILOTS LIVED IN BARRACKS.

THEY WOULD FLY ONE OR TWO MODELS IN THE UNITED STATES.

MOST IMPORTANT, THE PILOTS IN GREAT BRITAIN WERE ADMIRED AND RESPECTED BY THE PUBLIC WHO APPRECIATED THEY HAD COME ALL THIS WAY TO HELP.

IN THE UNITED STATES, THERE WAS A LOT OF SKEPTICISM ABOUT WOMEN PILOTS.

IT WAS ENDED BY THE END OF 1944 WHEN THE WAR WAS STILL RAGING BECAUSE THE PUBLIC DID NOT LIKE THE IDEA WOMEN WERE IN COCKPITS.

JOHN: IN BRITAIN, THE FLYERS WERE TREATED AS EQUALS WITH THE FLYERS IN THE RAF.

THEY OPENED A LOT OF DOORS FOR WOMEN.

DID THEY STAY OPEN POSTWAR?

>> IT WAS VERY DIFFICULT.

U.S. AIRLINES WOULD NOT HIRE WOMEN PILOTS.

THE U.S. MILITARY WOULD NOT HIRE WOMEN PILOTS STILL.

SOME OF THEM HOWEVER DID MANAGE TO ACHIEVE A CAREER IN AVIATION BY DOING REALLY UNUSUAL THINGS.

ONE OF THEM CAME BACK AND WORKED PRACTICALLY AS A JANITOR AT A FLYING SCHOOL BUT SPENT HER TIME LEARNING TO FLY HELICOPTERS.

SHE BECAME ONLY THE SECOND WOMAN IN THE UNITED STATES CERTIFIED TO FLY A COMMERCIAL HELICOPTER.

SHE FOUNDED THE FIRST HELICOPTER CHARTER COMPANY IN ALASKA WHICH WAS VERY SUCCESSFUL.

ANOTHER ONE USED THE WAR TO DEVELOP CONTACTS WITHIN THE SOCIETY IN LONDON, EXPATRIATES, DIPLOMATS, BUSINESS PEOPLE, JOURNALISTS, SPIES, GENERALS.

AFTER THE WAR, SHE WORKED HER WAY UP AND BECAME THE FIRST WOMAN VICE PRESIDENT OF THE U.S.

AIRLINE, WHICH WAS PAN AM?

JOHN: THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> THANK YOU.

♪ JOHN: IN A WORLD WHERE STAYING CONNECTED WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS CAN BE AS SIMPLE AS PRESSING A BUTTON ON YOUR PHONE, MANY ARE FINDING THEMSELVES LONELIER THAN EVER.

AS RHODE ISLAND P.B.

'S WEEKLY REPORTS, IT IS ESPECIALLY PREVALENT AMONG YOUNG ADULTS.

>> I WAS SO NERVOUS TO GO.

>> AT 17, SHE MOVED FROM HONG KONG TO PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND, TO STUDY AT BROWN UNIVERSITY.

>> 20, COVID RESTRICTIONS MEANT IF I WANTED TO GO HOME, I WOULD HAVE TO QUARANTINE FOR A FEW WEEKS BEFORE I WAS ABLE TO GO BACK AND SEE MY FAMILY.

>> LIVING FAR FROM HOME, SHE BEGAN FEELING DEPRESSED AND LONELY AND WAS HAVING TROUBLE MAKING FRIENDS.

>> I WAS IN A PLAY.

I WAS EXCITED.

IT WAS MY FIRST PLAY ON CAMPUS.

MY ROOMMATE AND A FRIEND CAME TO SEE IT.

I CAME BACK AFTER THE SHOW AND THEY DID NOT TALK ABOUT IT AT ALL AND THEN THE TWO OF THEM WENT TO SOME PARTY OR AFTER PARTY AND LEFT ME IN THE DORM ALONE.

I WAS SITTING THERE IN MY ROOM ALONE, FOLDING LAUNDRY.

>> BY THE TIME SHE RETURNED TO HONG KONG AT THE END OF HER FRESHMAN YEAR, HER DEPRESSION HAD BECOME OVERWHELMING.

>> I REMEMBERED NOT BEING ABLE TO GET OUT OF BED.

MY MOM WAS LIKE, DO YOU THINK YOU CAN GO BACK.

>> STORIES LIKE THAT ARE TOO FAMILIAR.

>> WHEN PEOPLE THINK OF LONELINESS, THEY OFTEN THINK OF SENIOR CITIZENS.

IN OUR DAY, THE PEOPLE WITH THE HIGHEST RATES OF LONELINESS ARE IN THEIR 20'S AND 30'S.

>> HE CONDUCTED A NATIONAL SURVEY ON LONELINESS DURING THE PANDEMIC AND FOUND ONE IN THREE AMERICANS FELT MEASURABLE LEVELS OF LONELINESS.

FOR YOUNG ADULTS, THE NUMBERS WERE EVEN HIGHER.

ABOUT 60% FELT THAT WAY.

THOSE STATISTICS HAVE IMPROVED SINCE THAT TIME BUT REMAIN A WORRY.

WHAT PARTICULAR CHALLENGES DO YOUNG ADULTS FACE THAT YOU FEEL CONTRIBUTES TO THIS HIGH RATE OF LONELINESS?

>> PEOPLE DO NOT FEEL A SENSE OF COMMUNITY AT WORK.

THEY DO NOT FEEL IDENTITY OR PURPOSE IN WORK THAT THEY DID.

THERE IS MUCH LESS PARTICIPATION IN RELIGION AMONG YOUNG PEOPLE.

RELIGIOUS COMMUNITIES ARE PLACES WHERE YOU ARE ASKED TO THINK ABOUT YOUR RESPONSIBILITY FOR PEOPLE IN YOUR COMMUNITY.

THEY ARE LESS LIKELY TO REACH OUT TO PEOPLE WHO ARE LONELY OR CREATE THE KIND OF COMMUNITIES WHERE PEOPLE FEEL A SENSE OF BELONGING.

>> IN 2023, THE SURGEON GENERAL WARNED THERE WAS AN EPIDEMIC OF LONELINESS.

>> SOCIAL DISCONNECTION IS ASSOCIATED WITH AN INCREASED RISK OF DEPRESSION, ANXIETY, AND SUICIDE, BUT ALSO HEART DISEASE DIMENSION, AND DEATH.

>> IT IS JUST AS DANGEROUS AS SMOKING A PACK OF CIGARETTES A DAY.

ONE OF THE TRICKIEST THINGS ABOUT LONELINESS IS THE LONELIER YOU ARE, THE MORE NEGATIVELY YOU SEE SOCIAL SITUATIONS.

IN THEREFORE, THE LESS LIKELY YOU ARE TO PUT YOURSELF IN SOCIAL SITUATIONS.

>> SHE SAW FIRSTHAND HOW DAMAGING THE MINDSET CAN BE.

FOR TWO YEARS, SHE VOLUNTEERED AT A SUICIDE HOTLINE IN BOSTON WHERE SHE BEGAN TO NOTICE A PATTERN AMONG THE PEOPLE WHO CALLED IN.

>> NO MATTER WHO I WAS TALKING TO, THEY GENERALLY HAD SOMEONE WHO CARED ABOUT THEM IN THEIR LIFE.

WHEN I ASKED IF THEY HAD TALKED ABOUT HOW THEY WERE FEELING TO THAT PERSON, ALMOST ACROSS THE BOARD, THEY WOULD SAY WE DON'T TALK ABOUT THAT OR I DO NOT WANT TO BE A BURDEN.

IT SEEMED LIKE THE DETERMINING FACTOR OF WHETHER YOU WERE LONELY OR NOT WAS WHETHER YOU FELT COMFORTABLE OPENING UP TO THOSE PEOPLE.

I STARTED ASKING, IF THE ROLES WERE REVERSED, WOULD YOU WANT THEM TO TELL YOU ABOUT IT?

THE ANSWER WITHOUT EXCEPTION WAS OF COURSE I WOULD WANT THEM TO TELL ME ABOUT IT.

I REALIZED THERE IS THIS WEIRD GAP BETWEEN HOW VULNERABLE PEOPLE WERE COMFORTABLE BEING AND HOW COMFORTABLE PEOPLE WANTED OTHERS TO BE WITH THEM.

>> GAVE THEM AN IDEA.

SHE CREATED AN EVENT SHE CALLED "GET THE SMALL TALK" WHERE PEOPLE COULD GET TOGETHER -- "SKIP THE SMALL TALK" WHERE PEOPLE COULD GET TOGETHER AND TALK.

>> IT LASTED OVER SEVEN HOURS BECAUSE PEOPLE WOULD NOT STOP TALKING.

>> IT HAS SPREAD TO MORE THAN 20 CITIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

>> YOU HAVE ABOUT 30 SECONDS LEFT.

>> I REMEMBER ONE THING PEOPLE EXPRESSED AT THE EVENT, I THOUGHT I WAS THE ONLY ONE THAT WANTED TO TALK ABOUT BEING MORE VULNERABLE.

PEOPLE WERE SURPRISED OTHER PEOPLE WANTED TO TALK ABOUT IT, TOO.

>> TALKING ABOUT WAS ALSO IMPORTANT FOR THIS BROWN STUDENT.

SHE WORKED WITH A THERAPIST, TOOK MEDICATION FOR DEPRESSION, AND OPENED UP TO A FRIEND.

>> I TOLD HER I DO NOT KNOW HOW I AM FEELING, I AM FEELING REALLY NERVOUS.

I TOLD HER ALL THE REASONS WHY.

SHE WAS LIKE WE CAN CREATE A ROUTINE TO GATHER.

>> EACH MORNING, SHE AND HER FRIENDS WOULD EAT BREAKFAST AND WALK TO CLASS TOGETHER.

EACH EVENING, THEY CAME TOGETHER TO DO HOMEWORK.

SHE ALSO GOT INVOLVED WITH A MENTAL HEALTH ADVOCACY GROUP CALLED ACTIVE MINDS.

>> THE FIRST DAY WE JOIN, THEY WERE LOOKING FOR SOMEONE TO DO GRAPHIC DESIGN.

I SAID I WOULD DO IT.

>> THE GROUP HAS A TRADITION OF MAKING FRIENDSHIP BRACELETS.

EACH BEAD REPRESENTS A POSITIVE QUALITY THE GIVER SEES IN THE RECIPIENT.

SHE HAS KEPT HER BRACELETS FROM YEARS PAST.

>> THIS ONE IS SPECIAL BECAUSE IT IS THE FIRST I DID.

>> THEY ARE A REMINDER OF THE COMMUNITY SHE HAS FOUND.

>> NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENS, I CAN GO ON A WEDNESDAY EVENING AND THERE ARE PEOPLE WILLING TO LISTEN TO ME.

>> SHE IS NOW A SENIOR AND PLANS TO GRADUATE THIS SPRING WITH DEGREES IN PSYCHOLOGY AND THEATER.

FOR PBS NEWS WEEKEND, PROVIDENCE RHODE ISLAND.

♪ JOHN: THAT IS PBS NEWS WEEKEND FOR THIS SUNDAY.

I AM JOHN YANG.

FOR ALL OF MY COLLEAGUES, THANKS FOR JOINING US.

HAVE A GOOD WEEK!

♪