Dr. Michael McBride presents “Why Loneliness Is So Toxic,” a free WOW! Working on Wellness forum, at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 13, at Trinity United Methodist Church, 100 S. Blake Ave.

Seating is limited so attendees are encouraged to arrive early.

Cigarettes and obesity are understood by everyone to be clearly harmful to our health, but being lonely may do even more harm, event organizes say. It turns out that loneliness kills – its toxic effects can negatively impact all aspects of our life, and it is on the rise. The American Psychological Association warns that the loneliness epidemic now represents a threat to public health which exceeds that of smoking and obesity.

Community members are invited to join McBride, a medical psychologist who has practiced on the North Olympic Peninsula for the past 35 years, in assessing how loneliness impacts healthful living and exploring solutions that promote wellness.

WOW! Working on Wellness is a health education program of Dungeness Valley Health & Wellness Clinic — Sequim’s free clinic. The clinic provides basic urgent care and chronic health care services to uninsured community members. Work is supported by more than 70 volunteers, including physicians, other professional health care providers and laypersons, as well as private and public donations from the Sequim community and beyond.

The Basic Urgent Care Clinic is open to patients on Monday and Thursday evenings beginning at 5 p.m. Individuals interested in supporting the clinic may call 360-582-0218.