JUNE 15-21 IS LONELINESS AWARENESS WEEK

Loneliness Awareness Week was created a decade ago by Marmalade Trust, a UK charity, and is a global campaign dedicated to raising awareness about loneliness and its impact on mental and physical wellbeing. The week encourages open conversations, reduces stigma, and highlights the importance of meaningful social connections. Throughout the week, individuals, communities, workplaces, and organizations come together through events, resources, and shared stories to help people feel more connected and supported.

We’re proud to have contributed a blog on the Loneliness Awareness website. The article explores the importance of understanding loneliness and highlights practical ways individuals and communities can support wellbeing and social inclusion. Read the blog here.

While Loneliness Awareness Week shines an important spotlight on the issue of loneliness, What Matters to Hatters is committed to keeping the conversation going throughout the year. By raising awareness of the impact of loneliness, promoting the value of meaningful connections, and encouraging small acts of kindness and engagement, we aim to help create a more connected, supportive, and inclusive community for everyone.

Explore our upcoming events to stay informed and connected with the many initiatives and opportunities to build relationships and strengthen community connections locally!

Social Isolation & Loneliness

Social isolation is when a person does not have relationships or contact with others and has little to no social support.

Social isolation can pose a health risk to people, even if they don't feel lonely.

Loneliness is feeling alone or disconnected from others. It is feeling like you do not have meaningful or close relationships or a sense of belonging. It reflects the difference between a person's actual and desired level of connection.

Even a person with a lot of friends can feel lonely.

Social isolation and loneliness have a serious impact on physical and mental health, quality of life, and longevity. The effect of social isolation and loneliness on mortality is comparable to that of other well-established risk factors such as smoking, obesity, and physical inactivity.

Social isolation and loneliness can increase a person's risk for heart disease and stroke, type 2 diabetes, depression and anxiety, suicidality and self-harm, dementia, earlier death.

High-quality social connections are essential to our mental and physical health and our well-being.

RISK FACTORS

These conditions or experiences may increase a person's risk of social isolation and loneliness:

Having a mental or physical challenge, such as a:
- Chronic disease or condition
- Psychiatric or depressive condition
- Long-term disability
Being marginalized or discriminated against
Having limited or no access to resources, such as:
- Living in rural areas
- Limited transportation
- Language barriers
Being a victim of violence or abuse
Facing a divorce, unemployment, or the loss of a loved one

Loneliness may impact some groups more than others, such as:

Low-income adults
Young adults
Older adults
Adults living alone
Immigrants
People who identify as gay, lesbian or bisexual

building social connection matters

Making social connections can be hard but a few small acts of connection can build supportive, meaningful relationships. People with meaningful social connections experience benefits, such as:

🤝 Less stress 🤝 Better sleep 🤝 Longer, healthier life

How Do I Improve My Social Connection?

Establish and nurture different types of connections with people

• Make time in your routine to contact others who care about you

• Reach out to different people to create a broad network of support

• Join a group with shared interests to create a sense of belonging

Give and take

• Reach out for help, even when it's hard to ask for it

• Provide support to others in need of help

• Find ways to be responsive and grateful to others - Gratitude Works!

Strengthen the quality of social connections

• Focus on building high-quality, strong, meaningful social connections

• Find ways to be responsive, supportive, and grateful to others

• Take steps to address conflict or negative feelings when they arise

Address barriers

• Take care of your health so you can readily connect socially and have fun

• Don't let screen time distract you from connecting with people in person

• Find ways to share the things you're already doing, such as exercising or cooking with others

Seek help if feeling disconnected, lonely, or stressed

• Health issues, divorce, or the death of a loved one can be very challenging

• Talk with a professional who can identify ways to help you

Curious about how socially connected you are?

Complete the Social Health Quiz developed from research at the Simon Fraser University and the Canadian Social Connection Survey, to help you understand where you stand with your social health compared to other Canadians. In just a few minutes, you’ll receive a personalized score along with practical, evidence-based tips to help you strengthen your connections and improve your overall social well-being.

Take the quiz now!

improving your social connection

Positive social habits can help you build support systems and stay healthier mentally and physically.

Check out this Social Wellness Toolkit for strategies to improve your social health.

"The need for connection and community is primal, as fundamental as the need for air, water, and food." -Dean Ornish

impacts of social connection

Social connection not only has a positive effect on individual health and well-being, but it can lead to many positive outcomes at the community level.

Supportive relationships:

🤝 Help communities thrive

🤝 Support overall community well-being, health, safety, and resilience

🤝 Can encourage people to give back to their communities