Loneliness

Loneliness describes how someone feels when they lack meaningful social or emotional connections. It is recognised as a public health issue that impacts both at an individual and societal level.

Why is loneliness a public health issue?

Loneliness can have significant negative impacts on the physical and mental health of individuals, as well as wider society. Associated with poor health, the effect of loneliness on mortality is comparable to other well-established risk factors, such as, smoking, obesity, and physical inactivity (WHO).

Loneliness can affect individuals of all ages, particularly older adults, and is associated with a range of negative health outcomes, including increased risk of cardiovascular disease, depression, anxiety, and cognitive decline.

A public health approach to loneliness addresses social and structural factors that increase the risk of loneliness, such as, poverty, inequalities, housing. It facilitates healthy social choices, making it easier to connect with others and increases opportunities for building trust and connections.

Take 5: Steps to managing your mental health

Loneliness is a very personal experience. It is important to understand the causes and triggers for your loneliness.

Here are some steps that may help:

Connect with others – spend time building and developing your connections, reach out.
Be active –walk, cycle, garden –find something you enjoy and that works for you.
Take notice – take notice of how you are feeling and your environment – when you feel lonely -listen and take action.
Keep learning – try something new: learn a language, learn to paint, learn to dance.
Give – do something nice for others e.g. volunteer – it may help you and may help others more.

Key Facts: Loneliness

Levels of loneliness increased during the Covid-19 pandemic

Ireland: The number of people who felt lonely all or most of the time doubled between April and November 2020 (during the pandemic), from 6.8% to 13.7% (CSO)

Northern Ireland: 1 in every 20 adults report feeling chronic loneliness. (NISRA 2021)

Support & Information

If you’re struggling with loneliness, the following resources may direct you to relevant supports and information.

Ireland: Health Service Executive

Ireland: Alone

Northern Ireland: Commissioner for Older People for Northern Ireland (COPNI)

Recent work on loneliness

The Covid-19 pandemic challenged our perception of loneliness and social isolation and highlighted the need for public health interventions for people of all ages.

Our recent work in this area included a series of webinars and a recent British Medical Journal editorial highlighting the need for a public health approach to address social isolation and loneliness. Such an approach would tackle the socioeconomic factors that influence the risk of loneliness, including poverty, education, transport, inequalities, and housing.