HAT Forum - The Loneliness Epidemic

The Humanist Association of Toronto
http://www.humanisttoronto.ca/

Every Saturday we meet on Zoom to discuss a topic decided upon the previous week. These are topics of humanist interest, from a humanist perspective.

The topic of the discussion will be decided in a prior meeting, usually two weeks in advance. This week’s topic is: The Loneliness Epidemic by Tanya Long

From CHATGPT: Here’s a detailed write up on the “epidemic of loneliness” in Canada: its scope, causes, impacts, and some considerations for response.
What is loneliness, and why it matters
• Loneliness is the subjective feeling of being alone or disconnected, regardless of the number of social contacts one has. It differs from social isolation, which refers more to the objective lack of social contact or engagement. Both are related but distinct.
• Loneliness has been linked to a broad range of negative outcomes: poorer mental health (depression, anxiety), lower overall life satisfaction, physical health effects (e.g. risk of cardiovascular disease), and in older adults risk of frailty and functional decline.
How big is the problem in Canada?
The data suggest that loneliness is a significant and growing concern among many groups in Canada. Key findings:
• Among Canadians aged 15 and up, more than 1 in 10 report always or often feeling lonely.
• Youth (ages ~15 24) report higher rates: in one survey ~17 23% said they always or often feel lonely.
• Adults 25 54 also report loneliness more often than older age groups in some surveys.
• Among older Canadians (65+), nearly 20% reported experiencing loneliness in 2019 2020. Women more than men (23% vs 15%) in that age group.
• Seniors who are unmarried, widowed, divorced or separated, or in low income, or living in large cities are more prone to loneliness.
• In terms of risk of social isolation: approximately 43% of Canadians aged 50+ are at risk of social isolation; up to 59% report having experienced loneliness according to a recent survey.
Impacts
• Mental health: Higher rates of depression, anxiety, reduced well being among those who are lonely.
• Physical health: Among older adults, loneliness and social isolation are risk factors for frailty, functional decline, possibly worse outcomes for chronic disease.
• Quality of life: Lower life satisfaction, lower sense of belonging, reduced overall health status.
• Economic / societal costs: Though precise quantification is more difficult, loneliness likely carries costs in healthcare (mental health services, possibly physical health complications), productivity, and social cohesion.
Challenges in measuring and addressing the epidemic
• The subjective nature of loneliness makes measurement complex (how often / how intensely; with respect to expectations).
• Social isolation vs loneliness: someone may have many social contacts but still feel lonely (if the connections lack depth or meaning).
• Stigma: people may under report feelings of loneliness
Why it’s framed as an “epidemic”
• Because of how widespread the problem is: many people in different age groups.
• Because of increasing recognition that loneliness has serious health and social consequences.
• Because conditions in recent years (technological change, social media, pandemic, urbanization, potentially more people living alone) seem to have increased risk factors.
• Because addressing it is urgent: left unaddressed, loneliness can contribute to worsening mental health burdens, healthcare demands, and social disconnection.
Outlook
• The issue is unlikely to go away by itself; demographic trends (aging population, increasing numbers of people living alone), social trends (mobility, urbanization, digital communication over face to face), economic inequality, and ongoing effects of pandemic mean risk factors remain.
Questions from Tanya
1. Do you struggle with loneliness and if yes, what are your coping mechanisms?
2. Why is there a stigma attached to admitting loneliness?
3. Does social media help or exacerbate the problem of loneliness?
4. What can be done to help alleviate this epidemic?
5. Does loneliness contribute to an increase in violence and an adherence to fringe groups, like incels, especially among young people?

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