Only The Lonely

FOR SOME OF US CHRISTMAS ISN’T ALWAYS JOLLY AND, IF YOU’RE FEELING ISOLATED, YOU’RE NOT ON YOUR OWN. SARAH MARINOS LOOKS AT THE IMPACT OF A GROWING HEALTH EPIDEMIC AND HOW BEST TO COMBAT IT

- Sarah Marinos

If you picture a lonely person, you probably imagine the elderly. But recent research paints a very different picture of loneliness in Australia and the western world. Far from being an issue confined to people in their later years, modern-day loneliness is affecting younger generations, too.

In 2018, the Australian Loneliness Report found men and women over the age of 65 were the least likely to be lonely. Instead, it’s those aged 18 to 25 and 56 to 65 who are some of the loneliest people in the country. A similar study in the US also identified the late 20s, mid-50s and late 80s as peak times for people to feel lonely.

The Australian Loneliness Report also found that the number of people experiencing loneliness is extensive. One in two people in the study said they feel lonely at least one day a week, and around one in four men and women feel lonely for three or more days.

Almost half of us don’t have neighbors we could ask for help, and nearly 30 percent of people rarely, or never, feel part of a friendship group. Adding to this picture, Relationships Australia says one in 10 people lack social support and one in six people say they’re lonely.

“The statistics paint a pretty grim picture,” says Nick Tebbey, National Executive Officer of Relationships Australia.

“We know that loneliness can have a significant impact on someone’s mental and physical health and wellbeing. Some studies like the health effect of loneliness to the equivalent of smoking 15 cigarettes a day. It’s a very real issue.”

Thankfully, growing recognition of the loneliness epidemic is prompting health authorities, governments and support organizations to research what can be done to help people feel more connected.