The COVID-19 pandemic has been a painful and challenging time for us all. With lockdowns, quarantine and isolation – feelings of loneliness have hit all generations.
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New research from Medibank reveals that more than half of Australians feel lonely as the pandemic enters its third calendar year.
Speaking to over 1000 Aussies, the study reveals how loneliness has evolved from 2020 to now.
Nearly half of all respondents (44%) believe that loneliness has no specific features, while 69% say loneliness is something that’s hard to see or identify in yourself or in others.
Furthermore, the research found that the main personal impact of loneliness is on health and relationships. The majority (56%) of those who experience loneliness say it impacts their personal health, while 46% say it impacts their personal relationships.
Key findings include:
- Over 2-in-3 Aussies find it hard to identify loneliness in themselves or in others.
- 53% of Aussies feel lonely on one or more days during the week, with 25% city loneliness on three of more days.
- Young and single Aussies are the most lonely (73%), with only 36% seeking support to manage.
Researcher at the University of Melbourne, Dr Frederic Kiernan says, “Loneliness is a complex feeling and while not all loneliness is created equally, the pandemic has certainly amplified how many people experience it and how often.
“The new research highlights the misconceptions and misunderstandings around the loneliness experience, and also the denial that so many struggle to face. Now more than ever, people will need new ways to support their mental health and, as a result, improve their physical wellbeing.”
It’s no surprise that, loneliness levels are lower amongst those who are ‘settling down’ as a couple (66%), established families (58%), elderly and alone people (51%) and elderly and partnered people (31%).
The data also found that when it comes to reducing the loneliness experience, top barriers are fear of burdening others (28%), finding the words to describe the feeling properly (22%) and feeling that people won’t ‘get it’ (20%).
To help spark a conversation on loneliness, Medibank has announced the launch of We Are Lonely, a podcast featuring guests Hugo Weaving, Briggs, Tash Sultana, Patricia Piccinini, Darren Hayes and more.
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