Loneliness Kills

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has rated loneliness as a higher risk to health than smoking and as great a risk as obesity.

‘Loneliness is by far the most unrecognised health crisis of our generation…young, old, rich, poor, urban or rural’

Researchers also say lack of social interaction increases the chances of suffering degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s.
The WHO has found that participation in leisure, social, cultural and spiritual activities in the community helps people maintain self-esteem and create or develop supportive and caring relationships.

In 2018 A Loneliness Task Force was set up by Dr. Keith Swanick in collaboration with Sean Moynihan of ALONE, to co-ordinate a response to the epidemic of loneliness and social isolation in Ireland.In 2019 – A Report entitled ‘A Connected Island: An Ireland Free From Loneliness’ was published.

According to Dr. Swanick ‘Loneliness is by far the most unrecognised health crisis of our generation…young, old, rich, poor, urban or rural’

Mary Allen Programme Co-ordinator at Blackwater Community Connect speaking at a Health Seminar run by Muintir na Tire Cork and Glanworth Community Council said there are many ways of coping with Loneliness .

These include 

•Getting Busy – being busy is effective in dealing with loneliness

•People find that feeling needed or useful is important to them

•Volunteering with something you care about

L-r Finbarr Motherway Cork County Muintir na Tire, Mary Allen Community Connect, Liz Downes Cork Older Peoples Council Pauline O Dwyer Glanworth Community Council  and Christy Roche Cork Older Peoples Council  pictured at the Glanworth event

      Community Connect is a Community Service targeting older people who may feel lonely or isolated, especially those who live in rural and remote communities in North Cork and the surrounding area.  As well as helping to alleviate loneliness, the service gives people an opportunity to participate in community activities.