The Ministry of Loneliness
The Ministry of Loneliness
Sounds like something you might come across in one of the Harry Potter series. However this newly established ministry was formed by UK Prime Minister Theresa May when she noticed the large scale of loneliness that was sweeping across the country.
- In England, 2 million people reported they could go on days, even weeks, without any social interaction. (BBC, 2018).
- "One in five Canadians experience some level of loneliness/isolation. The most at-risk group are the elderly due to their lack of mobility and shrinking social networks; however, studies suggest that loneliness also peaks in adolescents." (Montreal Gazette, 2018).
- In Ontario, the MOHLTC announced they would be piloting programs that target social activities instead of prescribing medication to people who suffer from loneliness. For example, the program would prescribe social activities such as bingo or a knitting group to patients. (CBC, 2018).
Social isolation is a growing problem that may lead to other health risks such as depression.
How to help lonely elderly people
- Start a conversation. Stop and talk. Don't hurry them.
- Offer practical help, such as shopping, posting a letter, picking up prescriptions or walking their dog
- Offer to accompany them or give them a lift to medical appointments, the library, hairdressers or faith services
- Share your time - volunteer with an organisation that has befriending services matching you with an isolated elderly person for home visits or regular phone calls
- Help with household tasks - offer to take out the rubbish, change light bulbs, clear snow, put up pictures
- Share a meal - take round an extra plate of hot home-cooked food or a frozen portion
Source: NHS
... and lonely younger people
- Reach out. Arrange to meet face to face or talk on the phone
- Encourage people to start conversations, whether a short face-to-face chat or joining an online discussion
- Offer to go to a class or group activity with them
- Suggest they look for talking treatments in their local area to help them manage the mental health effects of loneliness or recommend an online support community like Elefriends
- Listen and don't make assumptions. People can feel lonely even if it looks like they have a busy and full life
Source: Mind
Pulled from https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-42708507
Technology has the ability to be used to connect people but most of the time it isolates is more from one another.
I promise I won't launch into a huge rant but I will say the Theresa May's government (and Cameron's before her) drastically cut health, school, social care and local government budgets and it's been tangible in the last 5 years if you work in the public sector. All these areas would have previously facilitated social groups, events and community outreach programmes...
I definitely think we're seeing increasing levels of isolation that may be driven by different factors, but as well as putting the onus on individuals to do our part and connect with one another we need those larger support structures and resources to facilitate this too
Thanks for sharing that Marie-Claire! I am not too familiar with her government but I don't doubt that policy and legislative changes deeply affect our mental well-being in one way or another.
It does seem a bit ironic doesn't it!
However it is great to see an entire ministry dedicated specifically towards targeting loneliness. Hopefully it will get the ball rolling on facilitating more active/social lifestyles.