Loneliness, a public health issue

Have you ever felt distressed or isolated while surrounded by people? Or felt that you didn’t have people who you connected with? These feelings are the subjective experience of loneliness, and it's different from social isolation, which refers to how much time you actually spend alone. Loneliness has a cognitive component - the perception that your relationships aren't what you want them to be — and an affective one, the sadness or discomfort that comes with it (Manera et al., 2022).

According to the 2023 HILDA survey, an estimated 15% of Australians are experiencing loneliness. The national Ending Loneliness Together study of over 4,000 people found that almost one in three Australians reported experiencing loneliness. Rates are notably higher among younger adults (18-29) and older adults (65-79) (Nicolaisen & Thorsen, 2014).  Additionally, Headspace's National Youth Mental Health Survey found that LGBTIQA+ young people report meaningfully higher loneliness than their peers (6.2 versus 5.2 on the Three-Item Loneliness Scale).

Humans are inherently social beings, a sense of belonging is tied to survival instinct, not just preference. When it's missing, the effects reach beyond a bad mood.

loneliness has been linked to premature death and poorer physical and mental health outcomes (Holt-Lunstad et al., 2015), greater psychological distress (Manera et al., 2022), and lower life satisfaction (Schumaker et al., 1993).

At risk groups 

Loneliness can hit hardest for people experiencing life transitions such as moving countries, parenthood and career changes. For people experiencing financial pressures, chronic disease and disability, migrant communities, people in rural or socially deprived areas these experiences can place systematic barriers to engaging in social events and connecting with others. LGBTQIA+ community can also be disproportionately affected, as internalised stigma, discrimination, and isolation from family can compound feelings of loneliness. 

What we can do

Individual effort alone can't solve loneliness epidemic. The World Health Organisation points to the value of a coordinated national strategy across health, education, and social services, one that identifies at-risk groups, shares effective approaches, and runs public awareness campaigns to reduce stigma. Addressing loneliness requires systematic responses and creating opportunities for social connection, while also addressing subjective beliefs about one's relationships with others. 

Some ways to you can address feelings of loneliness can be:

• Revisit community spaces. Repeated visits to the same café, park, or library can build the kind of familiarity that gradually turns into connection.
• Explore local notice boards and community Facebook groups for events, classes, and gatherings near you.
• Join online communities, such as Discord servers or forums built around a specific interest.
• Volunteer locally. Giving your time is a low-pressure way to meet people while contributing to something meaningful.
• Turn solitary hobbies social. If you enjoy knitting, cooking, or walking alone, look for a club or group built around the same activity.
• Practice vulnerability. Sharing how you're feeling with someone in your life can open the door for both of you to feel less alone.
• Step back from social media when needed, particularly if watching others' lives online is intensifying your sense of disconnection rather than easing it.
• Create small rituals. When you catch up with someone, use that moment to plan the next one in advance. 
• Keep catch-ups with others low-demand. Grocery shopping together or a walk around the block can maintain connection without adding pressure to socially perform.
• Consider alternative forms of connection, like writing letters or sending cards, particularly if in-person or digital contact feels overwhelming.

If loneliness continues to cause distress, it's worth reaching out to a mental health professional. A psychologist can help identify what's contributing to the experience whether that's social anxiety, past relational patterns, or something else and work with you to build a way forward. Online support and chat groups can also be a valuable first step for those who aren't ready for face-to-face support.

Loneliness is not a flaw in you. It's a human signal, and one that deserves to be met with curiosity rather than shame. At Q Psychology, we see how powerful it can be to feel understood, even in small ways and we know that vulnerability, offered gently, tends to remind the people around us that they're not alone either.

References

Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (2023). Social isolation and loneliness. AIHW analysis of HILDA survey, waves 1–23. https://www.aihw.gov.au/mental-health/topic-areas/social-isolation-and-loneliness

Ending Loneliness Together (2023). State of the Nation Report: Social Connection in Australia 2023. https://endingloneliness.com.au

Headspace (2023). National Youth Mental Health Survey.

Holt-Lunstad, J., Smith, T. B., Baker, M., Harris, T., & Stephenson, D. (2015). Loneliness and social isolation as risk factors for mortality: A meta-analytic review. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 10(2), 227–237.

Manera, K. E., Smith, B. J., Owen, K. B., Phongsavan, P., & Lim, M. H. (2022). Psychometric assessment of scales for measuring loneliness and social isolation: An analysis of the HILDA survey. Health and Quality of Life Outcomes, 20, 40.

Nicolaisen, M., & Thorsen, K. (2014). Who are lonely? Loneliness in different age groups (18–81 years old), using two measures of loneliness. The International Journal of Aging and Human Development, 78(3), 229-257. 

Schumaker, J. F., Shea, J. D., Monfries, M. M., & Groth-Marnat, G. (1993). Loneliness and life satisfaction in Japan and Australia. The Journal of Psychology, 127(1), 65–71.

World Health Organization. Social isolation and loneliness. https://www.who.int/teams/social-determinants-of-health/demographic-change-and-healthy-ageing/social-isolation-and-loneliness

‍