A Focus on Loneliness
Healthy Male, a website dedicated to the health of men and boys funded by the Australian Government Department of Health, has focused their Men’s Health Week discussions on Understanding Loneliness. They report that 2 in 5 Australian men are lonely and 1 in 6 rank loneliness among their top three health concerns.
Loneliness is a serious public health issue associated with poorer health outcomes and decreased quality of life. It is increasingly becoming a national health priority in Australia. Other countries, such as the UK and Japan, have taken this a step further, appointing a Minister for Loneliness within their governments.
Last September on World Suicide Prevention Day, the National Mental Health Commission asked all people living in Australia to make building social connections a regular priority action to combat loneliness and isolation.
“Loneliness is emerging as one of the greatest health challenges we face. We’ve long known it to be associated with higher risk of physical health issues, like cardiac disease and immune deficiency, but it can also be detrimental to our mental health. Loneliness increases anxiety and depression and is a significant predictor of suicidal ideation and behaviour” said National Mental Health Commission CEO, Christine Morgan.
The importance of meaningful social relationships and connections to mental health and physical wellbeing is evident, with Ms Morgan emphasising that “A sense of belonging is a fundamental human need. We must never underestimate the power we have to make a positive difference in another person’s life. We can all take action to offer hope.” Of course, everyone will take different approaching to overcoming, or avoiding, loneliness, however Healthy Male also suggest that investing in your relationships with others is a good starting point.
This might include making a plan to connect with others, including family, friends, or colleagues, joining a group or club that aligns with your hobbies or interests, or volunteering to feel a sense of purpose and meet like-minded people. Things as simple as saying hello to a neighbour, or making a phone call to someone you know, can make a big difference not just for you but for others who might be feeling lonely. Of course, if you are experiencing loneliness is persistent or overwhelming, consider talking to a mental health professional who can provide additional support and guidance.
Unfortunately, loneliness disproportionately impacts people with poor mental health when compared with people with moderate to good mental health. In 2022, the Mental Health Commission of NSW added 13 new indicators to their current set of 40 Living Well indicators. This included the incorporation of measures for loneliness. Data from 2021 showed that about 1 in 2 people with poor mental health reported feeling lonely compared to 1 in 8 people with moderate to good mental health. The difference is consistent across all age groups and regions.
Projects being funded by the Commission, including One Door’s Circles of Connection pilot project aim to address this by positively impacting the quality of life and experience of loneliness for people living with mental health concerns. For those who attended our Symposium, you would have heard Meredith Coote from Your Connections Matter speaking about the project, alongside the four One Door staff being trained in the facilitation of Circles of Support as part of the pilot. We hope to bring you further updates about the project in August but in the meantime you can watch Meredith’s presentation here.