Commenting on a new report,
The Lonely Society?, published today (25 May) by the
Mental Health Foundation, Dr Peter Byrne, associate registrar at
the Royal College of Psychiatrists, said:
“The RCPsych recognises the importance of this
study on the neglected topic of loneliness. We already knew the
proportion of single occupant homes doubled from 6% in 1972 to 12%
in 2008. Our stereotype of the older person, home alone, the
“Eleanor Rigby”, is challenged by new information that the numbers
of children calling a helpline who are lonely has increased by 60%
in 5 years. This study highlights 17% of adults over 55 worry about
loneliness, but this rises to 36% of adults under 35.
“We accept the figure that 1 in 10 people
often feel lonely, and this has clear links with depression and
other mental health problems. Clinical experience shows that the
poorer a person’s social networks (for whatever reason), the more
likely it is that mental health problems will occur and take longer
to alleviate. Economic changes that disrupt people’s work-life
balance and family life, and send people hundreds of miles for
work, are likely get worse during this recession. Openness about
being lonely, and vulnerable friends and neighbours, is an
important first step.”
For further information, please
contact:
Liz Leicester
or Deborah Hart in the Communications
Department.
Telephone: 020 7235 2351 Extensions. 6298 or 6127
References:
The Lonely Society? was published by the Mental Health Foundation on 25 May 2010