According to The Lancet, Japan enacted their Act on Promotion of Policy for Loneliness and Isolation on 1 April, 2024.
Japan’s proactive stance follows a 2022 survey revealed that 40% of Japanese adults felt lonely.
Why does loneliness matter? Research from 18 countries shows that social isolation in older adults is associated with negative health outcomes, including anxiety, depression and cardiovascular disease. Some say it’s as bad for your health as smoking!
A key point in the article is that loneliness should be viewed at all stages of life, not just old age. Marginalised groups such as ethnic and racial minorities experience disproportionately more isolation and loneliness, as to LBGTQ+.
In November 2023, the WHO launched a commission on social connection, to analyse the role of social connection in improving health of all ages.
In the UK: the government launched the Know Your Neighbourhood Fund, with up to £30 million of funding from the government and the National Lottery Community Fund. The programme aims to empower local communities to increase volunteering and reduce chronic loneliness in 27 target disadvantaged areas in England.
The Jo Cox Commission on Loneliness was an establishment set up by British Member of parliament Jo Cox, in order to investigate ways to reduce loneliness in the United Kingdom. It published its final report at the end of 2017. While only running for just over a year, the commission led to the UK government making a lasting commitment to loneliness relief.
In January 2018, prime minister Theresa May accepted the final report’s recommendations, creating a ministerial lead for loneliness, with the intention that the new role will ensure loneliness reduction remains an enduring parliamentary priority. The position is often referred to by the media as the ‘Minister for Loneliness’ , though it is not a separate ministerial office. Initially the role was an expansion of the remit for the Minister for Sport and Civil Society. The post was first held by Tracey Crouch, followed by Mims Davies who served from November 2018 to July 2019. From July 2019 to September 2021, the role was held by Baroness Barran, and is now currently held by Stuart Andrew.
A meta-analysis [a study of studies] that found that the risk of premature death due to loneliness increased by 26% and 29% due to social isolation. Furthermore, the lack of social connection can increase the risk of anxiety, depression, stroke, heart disease, and dementia.
Defining Loneliness
Loneliness is a universal human emotion that is both complex and unique to each individual. Because it has no single common cause, preventing and treating this potentially damaging state of mind can vary dramatically.
For example, a lonely child who struggles to make friends at school has different needs than a lonely older adult whose spouse has recently died.
Researchers suggest that loneliness is associated with social isolation, poor social skills, introversion, and depression.
Loneliness, according to many experts, is not necessarily about being alone. Instead, if you feel alone and isolated, then that is how loneliness plays into your state of mind.
For example, a college freshman might feel lonely despite being surrounded by roommates and other peers. A soldier beginning their military career might feel lonely after being deployed to a foreign country, despite being constantly surrounded by other troop members.
Health Risks Associated With Loneliness
Loneliness has a wide range of negative effects on both physical and mental health, including:
- Alcohol and drug misuse
- Altered brain function
- Alzheimer’s disease progression
- Antisocial behavior
- Cardiovascular disease and stroke
- Decreased memory and learning
- Depression and suicide
- Increased stress levels
- Poor decision-making
What Research Suggests About Loneliness
Close Friends Help Combat Loneliness
Statistics suggest that loneliness is becoming increasingly prevalent, particularly in younger generations. According to one 2019 survey, 25% of adults between the ages of 18 and 27 reported having no close friends, while 22% reported having no friends at all.
Loneliness Can Be Contagious
One study suggests that loneliness may actually be contagious. Research has found that non-lonely people who spend time with lonely people are more likely to develop feelings of loneliness.
Tips to Prevent and Overcome Loneliness
Loneliness can be overcome. It does require a conscious effort to make a change. In the long run, making a change can make you happier, healthier, and enable you to impact others around you in a positive way.
Here are some ways to prevent loneliness:
- Consider community service or another activity that you enjoy. These situations present great opportunities to meet people and cultivate new friendships and social interactions.
- Expect the best. Lonely people often expect rejection, so instead, try focusing on positive thoughts and attitudes in your social relationships.
- Focus on developing quality relationships. Seek people who share similar attitudes, interests, and values with you.
- Recognize that loneliness is a sign that something needs to change. Don’t expect things to change overnight, but you can start taking steps that will help relieve your feelings of loneliness and build connections that support your well-being.
- Understand the effects of loneliness on your life. There are physical and mental repercussions to loneliness. If you recognize some of these symptoms affecting how you feel, make a conscious effort to combat them.
- Join a group or start your own. For example, you might try creating a Meetup group where people from your area with similar interests can get together. You might also consider taking a class at a community college, joining a book club, or taking an exercise class.
- Strengthen a current relationship. Building new connections is important, but improving your existing relationships can also be a great way to combat loneliness. Try calling a friend or family member you have spoken to in a while.
- Talk to someone you can trust. Reaching out to someone in your life to talk about what you are feeling is important. This can be someone you know such as a family member, but you might also consider talking to your doctor or a therapist. Online therapy can be a great option because it allows you to contact a therapist whenever it is convenient for you.
Are you feeling lonely – take the test and have a look at more reading on the matter.
If your looking for support on any health issues, I can either help or refer you to a professional that will be able to assist.