If you're feeling lonely, you're not alone

01 Aug 2023

Loneliness and isolation is fast becoming an epidemic across the globe, and while the COVID-19 pandemic has exasperated the issue due to physical social isolation, human connectedness has actually been declining for decades.

A Swinburne University report highlighted just how disconnected Australians have become, with the number of close friends halving since the 1980’s, as have the number of neighbours who we know well enough to drop in uninvited. Recent research shows that 1 in 4 Australians will experience loneliness or isolation at some point in their lives, and that Australians are less sociable than ever noting that social media, working hours and the cost of living are all contributing factors.

What’s the difference between loneliness and isolation?

In short, loneliness is not simply being alone. St Vincent’s Psychiatrist Dr Mike Millard explains. “Being alone is a physical state, whereas feeling alone is a psychological state - we can be surrounded by people and still be lonely. There is a mismatch with the connection we feel with other people, and the connection we’d like to feel with other people”.

In other words, loneliness is a state of mind. But the effects of loneliness can have highly problematic impacts on individuals, as well as the economy.

From a public health perspective, loneliness and isolation presents a 29% increase in the occurrence of heart disease, and a 32% increase in the risk of stroke. And according to Ending Loneliness Together, people who are lonelier carry elevated blood pressure, higher levels of cholesterol and have impaired overall cardiac function. Alarmingly, the effects of loneliness has been equated to smoking 15 cigarettes per day, increasing the likelihood of earlier death by 26%.

Doesn’t everybody feel lonely sometimes?

It’s fair to say that to feel lonely sometimes is part of being human – that throughout a lifetime, we can feel disconnected from others even when surrounded by friends, family and colleagues. And it can happen to anyone, regardless of social, mental and physical wellbeing. So when does it become a problem?

Dr Millard explains “We start to be concerned when those feelings become particularly intense and it starts to effect other aspects of our life. Like your mood has been going down, your sleep is impaired. We might not enjoy doing things we ordinarily do, or even stop doing them - that’s when we really need to do something about it”.

So what’s being done?

Both Japan and the United Kingdom have appointed Ministers for Loneliness in their efforts to tackle loneliness and isolation, indicative of the gravity of the problem. The New Economics Foundation Report (UK) estimated the cost-impact for non-private and private employers at £2.53 billion and £2.10 billion per year, respectively. But Australia is lagging, despite a 2021 report estimating a cost of $2.7 billion to the Australian economy each year, equivalent to an annual cost of $1,565 for each individual experiencing profound loneliness.

That said, the issue of loneliness as a public health liability threat is gaining momentum, and professional bodies such as Ending Loneliness Together, a national network of organisations collaborating to address loneliness, are lobbying the Australian government to take a national approach into this issue.

From a hands-on perspective, organisations such as St Vincent’s Open Support Community Connections Program are providing practical social support for people experiencing isolation and loneliness within our communities.

Nathan Nute, Program Manager at Open Support and his team of staff and volunteers are currently supporting approximately 90 clients with real social and human companionship, as well as equipping people with the confidence to establish meaningful social connections, and helping them to build healthy habits and routines.

While the majority of their clients are older community members, Nathan says that the pandemic has tilted their demographic, with increasing numbers of young adults self-referring to the program. And while younger generations tend to rely heavily on technology based connections – evidence suggests that online connections don’t have the same benefits as face-to-face human contact. “With our growing population and more people living in apartments, working from home, and studying online - people are losing their ability to connect. A lot of our clients are people just waiting for someone to say hello to them”.

“We help people to re-establish a sense of belonging in the community”.

How can we create meaningful connections?

Nathan suggests saying ‘yes’ more often. Accept invitations and seek out opportunities to connect with others such as joining a class, attend local cultural events or festivals, or volunteering for a worthy cause.
And “remember it’s never too late to reconnect – reach out to an old friend for a tea/coffee and a catch up”.

But meeting others and striking up a conversation doesn’t come easily to some. Nathan’s advice is to practice in small steps, such as initiating small talk in everyday life situations, such as at the supermarket, café or at the bank.

He takes it further, “Be open and respectful when people express views that are different from your own. We don’t have to agree on everything to have a connection”.

“Think positive – don’t spend too much energy worrying about social situations – try to shift your focus to the other person or the topic of conversation”.

Nathan nute

Nathan Nute

Anyone can make a referral to the Community Connections Program.

Please use this link to make a referral: opensupport.org.au/referrals
To find out more information about Community Connections:
Call 0409 632 443
Email: communityconnections@ opensupport.org.au
Or visit: opensupport.org.au

For online mental health support please visit THIS WAY UP