Mental Health Foundation: ‘Long-term loneliness can impact our mental and physical health’

The Mental Health Foundation’s new report has found loneliness has implications not just for individuals but also for society at large

A new report from the Mental Health Foundation for Mental Health Awareness Week has revealed key groups who are at risk of experiencing loneliness. Certain risk factors increase our chances of severe and lasting loneliness that can affect our mental health.

The stigma of loneliness makes it hard to talk about. People worry about being judged or feeling like a burden. The report highlights that ‘long-term loneliness can impact our mental and physical health.’

Karen, a 55-year-old who was recently widowed and lives alone was diagnosed with ME / Chronic Fatigue Syndrome two years ago. Before she was diagnosed with ME, she was very active. “I was working full-time. I was looking after my disabled husband. I was raising my son. I would have done a lot of horse-riding. I would have done a lot of walking, a lot of mountain hill walking. And we would be out of the house all day on a Sunday. Saturday morning, horse-riding, taking my son to his football practice. It was a full-on seven-day-week responsibility.”

The report includes the stories of nine individuals. They come from a range of backgrounds, live in different places around the UK and experience different challenges, but all often or always feel lonely. Their personal stories show just how much is captured with the word ‘loneliness’, the complex factors that lead to loneliness and the way it affects our mental health.

At CIMSPA, mental health is our priority. We’ve conducted important mental health research with Workforce State of Mind, signed the Good Work Pledge and opened up about some of our team’s own mental health problems. CIMSPA also has a strategic partnership with leading mental health charity, MIND.

READ THE FULL MENTAL HEALTH FOUNDATION REPORT