Loneliness is more than a mental health issue.
- Associate Professor, Sydney School of Public Health, University of Sydney
One in four Australians report feeling lonely. As more people grapple with a cost-of-living crisis, a key driver of loneliness is financial hardship.
A white paper launched today reveals four actions governments, researchers and policymakers can take to combat loneliness.
With lockdowns likely to be a part of life in Australia until a significant majority of us are vaccinated, it’s timely to think about what we can do to look out for people who may be vulnerable.
Many who are lonely will overlook their own emerging signs of loneliness in hope these feelings will go away once around other people.
Humans are astonishingly flexible and resilient through times of crisis. We can find creative ways to connect with people while still reducing the immediate risk.
Humans are innately social, so periods of enforced quarantine or isolation will be a challenge. But there are some things we can do to ensure being isolated doesn’t translate to feeling lonely.
Loneliness is often triggered by significant life events, and young people have these in abundance. But the solution isn’t as simple as joining a group or trying harder to make friends.
Half of Australians feel lonely for at least one day a week, while one in four feel lonely for three or more days. This can impact on sleep, heart health and levels of anxiety.
The government has announced funding to combat loneliness in the elderly.
Trust Me, I’m an Expert: Risk
CC BY45.3 MB (download)
This month, we're talking risk. Three experts give their perspective on how long you might live, how to deal with loneliness – and how to step outside your comfort zone.
Exposure therapy, where people face their feared social situations, is one treatment that can be used to treat social anxiety. So how does it work?
The unpleasant feelings of loneliness are subjective. Researchers have found they are less related to the amount of time spent alone and more related to the quality of relationships.
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