Most people assume loneliness primarily affects the elderly, picturing widowed pensioners or elderly individuals with health issues living alone. This was true two decades ago. From 2001 to 2009, the highest proportion of lonely people in Australia were those aged 65 and older..
However, the 2023 Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) Survey shows a significant shift. While loneliness has decreased among other age groups since the early 2000s, it has steadily risen among young people, especially since 2008. Today, the elderly in Australia experience the lowest rates of loneliness. Instead, young people, particularly those aged 15 to 24, are increasingly feeling isolated.
The rise in loneliness among young people has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, but it began long before. Dr. Ferdi Botha from the University of Melbourne suggests several reasons for this trend:
Professor Brock Bastian of the University of Melbourne adds that social media and modern communication methods, which are less personal, might play a role in increasing loneliness among the youth.
The HILDA Survey also found that poor general health is linked to higher loneliness, especially among females with poor mental health. Additionally, First Nations people reported higher loneliness scores than non-First Nations individuals. Living alone increases loneliness, but interestingly, couples with children feel lonelier than those without, possibly due to the demands of childcare limiting social opportunities.
Dr. Botha and Professor Bastian emphasise the need for effective strategies to combat youth loneliness. One potential solution is social prescribing, a practice gaining traction in the UK. This involves connecting people to community activities and services to improve their social and emotional well-being.
Professor Bastian calls for more research to find what works best for young Australians. Creating spaces where young people can comfortably interact and make new friends is crucial. Addressing loneliness is important because prolonged isolation can lead to serious health issues, including mental health crises, substance abuse, and even later-life conditions like dementia.
Loneliness is linked to poor health, including early death. It is also associated with depression, anxiety, psychosis, and other mental health issues, though it is not a mental illness itself. The longer we feel lonely, the greater our risk of developing mental health problems.Under the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) in Australia, mental illness can be considered a disability if it results in a significant and permanent functional impairment. The NDIS provides support for individuals with psychosocial disabilities, which are disabilities arising from mental health conditions. To be eligible for NDIS support, a person’s mental illness must have a substantial impact on their ability to perform everyday activities and participate in society. The NDIS offers various supports and services to help individuals with psychosocial disabilities improve their quality of life and achieve their goals.
If you or someone you know needs support, please seek help or visit: https://ndis.gov.au/
To optimise their support services, NDIS participants need to manage their plans effectively. Plan management offers flexibility, allowing individuals to control how their funds are used, thereby improving their quality of life. Participants can either manage their plans themselves or get help from an agency or plan manager. Plan managers like Life Balance NDIS Plan Management in Lara, Victoria, and the Greater Geelong area offer this service which simplifies financial and plan management tasks, providing assistance with budgeting and planning, and ensuring smooth transactions with service providers. As a plan manager, Life Balance NDIS Plan Management focuses on transparency and experience, empowering individuals with disabilities to achieve a balanced life through efficient fund management and service coordination.
Our services include supporting people with disabilities to achieve independence and community connection, and designing impactful programs for active living that benefit individuals and communities alike. Additionally, we provide comprehensive plan management support, helping you and your family plan effectively and connect with the resources needed for a balanced and fulfilling life.
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