General News
21 August, 2023
Local groups combat loneliness, as report reveals regional Aussies more likely to feel lonely
The report found there are more lonely Australians living in rural areas (35 percent) compared to metropolitan areas (30 percent). Disadvantage also plays a role in loneliness, with 39 percent of people living in low socio-economic neighbourhoods...
Loneliness is a growing issue across the country, with one in three Australians feeling moderately isolated and those in disadvantaged areas, including here in Maryborough, more likely to feel alone according to a new report.
Undertaken by Ending Loneliness Together, the State of the Nation Report into social connection found only 11 percent of Australians have never felt lonely, while the remaining 89 percent range in feeling lonely often to rarely.
The report found there are more lonely Australians living in rural areas (35 percent) compared to metropolitan areas (30 percent).
Disadvantage also plays a role in loneliness, with 39 percent of people living in low socio-economic neighbourhoods more likely to experience loneliness (39 percent) compared to those living in the least disadvantaged areas (28 percent).
Community-focused charity Mill House has been working hard to address loneliness and social isolation for several years and chair Adrian Masterman-Smith said recent events, as well as Maryborough’s social demographic, have created a “perfect storm” for loneliness.
“We are seeing a trend of increasing loneliness,” he said.
“There’s been traditionally lower education standards and less employment in Maryborough and so less forums for people to connect.
“We’re seeing greater use of social media and technology in terms of interactions with others, things like meetings and study are now taking place online.
“The pandemic also really isolated people physically and all of that creates a perfect storm that’s stopped people engaging on a one-to-one, face-to-face basis.”
The organisation provides a raft of activities, workshops and events centred around social inclusion — ranging from market days and social lunches to hosting a number of group meetings and workshops.
Mr Masterman-Smith said the organisation have noticed niche communities are more at risk of becoming lonely, but noted Mill House has made inroads into addressing these feelings.
“On many levels we’re finding people who turn up and are quite isolated begin to come out of themselves,” he said.
“We provide a lot of support and affirmation and as a result of that, self-confidence grows and these people are comfortable enough to begin initiating conversation.
“There’s definite evidence we’re making a difference for the people who turn up.”
While loneliness is something everyone experiences, young people, carers, people with poorly met financial needs, those in rural areas, live alone, have chronic disease or poor mental health are particularly vulnerable to loneliness, according to the report, which has been identified as a risk factor for poor health.
Those feeling lonely are twice as likely to have a chronic disease, are 4.6 times more likely to have depression, more than five times more likely to have poorer wellbeing and are 4.1 times more likely to have social anxiety.
Aside from negatively impacting health, loneliness can also lead to less engagement in physical activity and cause individuals to be less productive at work, the report found.
Both men and women experience similar levels of loneliness according to the report, which also found addiction to social media is more common among those who are lonely, particularly for people aged 18 to 44.
Loneliness is one of the key reasons people join the Maryborough Senior Citizens Club, according to president Veronika Miles, who said loneliness is prevalent amongst older members of the community.
“We do encourage people who might be feeling lonely to get involved because that’s how a lot of us started with the group,” she said.
“Most people who come to us have lost their partner and felt alone and so decided to get involved, there are lots of people in situations like that here.”
While the club’s activities like bridge, table tennis, tai chi, hoy, craft and indoor bowls are tailored for older residents, younger locals have started to get involved.
“The events and activities we have encourage people to get together which helps with feelings of loneliness,” Veronika said.
“We have a number of younger people who come along and play things like table tennis, so if you are younger you’re certainly welcome.
“There are a lot of people who are frightened to take that initial step but we’ve all been there and we’re all here to support one another.”