On loneliness

Nieves Murray, CEO, Suicide Prevention Australia

Last week we had our first face-to-face board meeting in over a year. It followed our first face-to-face event since early 2020. I can’t begin to explain how nice it was to reconnect with our sector in person.??

We’ve learned to adapt - we’ve had to - but there’s just no substitute for that real life connection. I don’t know what was nicer, a chance to hug old friends or to go through a whole day without hearing “you’re on mute”.??

As we connect again, I’ve been thinking about what it was like when we couldn’t. Many of us have returned to our busy social lives and family get-togethers. Yet, others have not. They were feeling alone before the pandemic and that’s one thing that COVID-19 hasn’t changed. The holidays are happy for so many of us – I for one am looking forward to Easter, but for many it can be a struggle.??

Approximately one in four Australians are experiencing feelings of loneliness, and one in two report they feel lonely for at least one day each week. As many as five million Australians are estimated to have so-called ‘problematic’ levels of loneliness.??

We know that social isolation has significant impacts on our mental and physical heath. Research has shown social isolation poses more of a risk to someone’s health than smoking, poor diet and lack of exercise and can also increase the risk of premature death by approximately 30%.??

We hear lots about the risk of diet, exercise, smoking and alcohol but not much at all about loneliness. It’s time to have that conversation and it’s why we’ve worked with our members to develop a policy position on loneliness and social isolation.?

We found international evidence that tells us there are links between loneliness, self-harm and suicide. When we asked our sector last year what would pose the greatest risk to suicide rates this year, social isolation and loneliness were the top of the list.??

There’s a human cost and an economic toll. In the United States, it’s estimated that a lack of social connection costs approximately $6.7 billion per annum.?

So, what can be done about it? Other countries are trying. The United Kingdom appointed the first Minister for Loneliness and launched a cross-government strategy including community spaces, awareness raising and supporting GPs to refer patients to community activities or volunteering. Japan have followed suite with their own Minister.??

We think a national strategy in Australia is a good first step and Ministerial responsibility is the way to go.?

But like so much in suicide prevention, it’s the community that counts. We need to look at community-based programs, the role of community-based groups and support for those local groups, neighbourhood centres and services that bring people together.??

We need to give ‘social’ or ‘non-medical’ prescribing a proper crack. Overseas this has seen healthcare providers refer people to non-clinical community supports, whether it’s volunteering, arts, community gardens or other networks. The evidence is growing, and a local pilot showed promise.??

Many have felt a little lonely over the past couple of years. Instead of quickly forgetting those feelings, let’s keep them front of mind and have a serious discussion about social isolation. It would be a shame to have a topic like this brushed under the carpet due to any discomfort in talking about it.?

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