It’s been described as a “silent epidemic”; now a NSW parliamentary inquiry will shine a spotlight on the distress triggered by a lack of social connection.
Hunter Karam was an extrovert with plenty of friends and a job in construction when he noticed he was feeling an uncomfortable emotion he couldn’t quite put his finger on when he was in his early 20s.
“I was working in a team of 40 people, but I was lonely,” he said. “It made me realise if I can feel lonely, anyone can.”Loading Jackson said loneliness – the distress caused by a person feeling a greater level of social disconnection than they desire – had emerged as a significant public and growing health problem during the COVID-19 pandemic. She said it was often referred to as a “silent epidemic” that was accompanied by shame, despite the fact most people would feel lonely at some point in their life.
It will also identify those most at risk of social isolation, and steps the state government and community can take to reduce its pervasiveness and negative impacts. She said the committee would work with mental health experts, advocates, and those with a lived experience of loneliness during the inquiry.
Relationships Australia NSW chief executive Elisabeth Shaw said people could experience loneliness due to a lack of social connections, but they could also be surrounded by others and feel deeply lonely. Either way, Shaw said, the ramifications could be life-threatening.
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