In May 2023, US Surgeon General Dr Vivek Murthy declared there was a loneliness epidemic. He was said to have emphasized a public health crisis of isolation and a lack of connection in the US.
And yes, there was a COVID-19 pandemic that quarantined and isolated. But, maybe even before the pandemic, there may have been paralytic levels of loneliness. And it’s not really the kind of thing that could be measured by a stethoscope or thermometer.
According to WHO, about 25% of older people experience social isolation and between 5% to 15% of adolescents are lonely. A global survey in 2021 found that close to 45% of surveyed folks felt lonely.
And that could seriously impact physical and mental health, quality of life and longevity, according to WHO. So, it’s as bad as obesity or smoking. It could even lead to coronary issues, lead to cancer or conditions, like Alzheimer’s.
So, why is this happening?
There seem to be a myriad of reasons. Maybe, rapid urbanization means more mobility, so people may be moving away from their hometowns for work or education, displacing their social network. Or it could be what people like to attribute everything to: social media. Maybe, digital technology could have played a role in contributing to loneliness, even while it has connected people globally. How are your relationships on social media? How genuine would you say they are? Do they fulfill your need for deep and meaningful relationships? Or could it be that using too much of one’s phone means more social isolation?
Or could it be work? Even as Narayana Murthy extols the virtues of a 70-hour work week, could long working hours, high stress levels and job insecurity mean that people don’t have time or energy for social interactions? Or what if they’re not in-office? Even in a post-pandemic world, remote work is still prominent, so that might mean less social interaction with people. Or in some countries that have aging populations, it might be that older folks may face loneliness due to factors, like losing a loved one, retiring and being at home more, while others are out. Or even those struggling with financial difficulties may be working at multiple jobs or overworking, which means they may not focus on their mental wellbeing.
And the COVID-19 pandemic might have exacerbated issues that lead to more loneliness.
And it might even be about how people express their feelings. People might still have a stigma associated with admitting they’re lonely or that they need help. Even in 2024, there might be fear of being judged or thought of as weak by admitting you’re lonely.
So, is there a solution? Maybe, the first step in solving a problem is acknowledging it exists. Could there be investments in social connections and community initiatives to curb loneliness?
Or maybe, the Internet and social media can still be a boon, instead of a bane. There could be online support communities created to provide a safe space for people to share their experiences & get support and advice. Just knowing one is not alone could be a source of comfort. And there may be mental health resources and information readily available online to help people cope and even encourage people to seek professional help when needed. Just like there were Zoom Happy Hours during the pandemic, there could be Zoom sessions to bring people together. Or maybe the Happy Hours itself could curb loneliness.
Or the way there are dating apps, startups could develop platforms for fostering meaningful social connections to match people with shared interests or experiences. And that might facilitate a beautiful friendship. What about apps that could connect people looking for companionship by connecting people who are nearby and just want to talk? Or can there be online workshops and courses to help people build social skills and boost their self-esteem? But, in the end, it’s all about time. Are people willing to take the time out to deal with a silent killer? To work on themselves? To get themselves out of that well? Even if you’re not alone, can you make sure you’re not lonely?
