Loneliness: The unknown effect of the pandemic

Mingyashin Shaiza*

World Mental Health day was celebrated on 10th October, 2021. The overall objective is to raise awareness of mental health issues around the world and to mobilize efforts in support of mental health (WHO). As we celebrate World Mental Health Month, although the theme this year is "Mental Health in an Unequal world", I would like to focus on what they are calling "the other pandemic : Loneliness".

Let's not get mixed up with solitude and loneliness. To be alone or to choose to be alone is very different from being forced by circumstance to be alone that one does not like.

The world is facing another pandemic which is not widely publicized, as it is considered a shame to be lonely. Everyone feels lonely at one point in their life and it's normal. Researchers consider it normal if someone feels lonely for a short time but chronic or long term loneliness is what we should check on. Chronic loneliness can lead a person to depression, anxiety and increased stress.

Dr. Julianne Holt-Lunstad, Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience at Brigham Young University estimated that the risk conferred by chronic loneliness was the same as that of smoking 15 cigarettes a day, and it was actually greater than the risks of obesity, excess alcohol consumption, and lack of exercise—all health priorities in routine medical encounters.

According to research done by Harvard, 61 percent of those aged between18-25 are experiencing high level of loneliness during the pandemic. Surprisingly, the older teens and young adults have higher rate of loneliness than the elderly. It is found that 63 percent of young people are experiencing anxiety and depression.

We have seen teens and young adults getting addicted to games. Could this be a product of loneliness ? Is gaming their way of connecting and feeling connected ?

What about the youth who are losing their lives in narcotics ? Could loneliness be driving them to want to feel high and forget the real world, the anxiety or feeling of reject that they get ? It is said that, spending on experience rather than on things or objects can make you less lonely.

A new report by Richard Weissbourd, a psychologist and senior lecturer at HGSE, shows that many young people with serious loneliness also said that, they felt as if no one 'genuinely cared' about them. They feel that they are the one reaching out and listening while other people don't listen to them, when they reach out.

This can be self defeating. The feeling that you are trying to connect but the other may or may not want to connect with you or the feeling that you are going to get rejected again will lead to withdrawal which increases loneliness and an anxiety of social connection.

How should we prevent loneliness ?

"If every person who is in pretty good shape can make a commitment to reaching out to one person they are concerned might be lonely once a week, that would be a good thing", said Richard Weissbourd.

At this time, where isolation or quarantine is a must, make the most use of social network to connect. Make use of that Zoom or video call to stay in touch and if it is too stressful, switch back to voice call, message or voice note to let people know you are thinking of them. Make sure you check on people who are most isolated.

Schools, medical professionals, employers can do a lot to prevent loneliness. Schools can train teachers or provide someone to connect parents with each other. They can ensure every student is connected to seniors or school adults.

Doctors or medical professionals should ask patients about loneliness as it is most neglected and felt unnecessary. This can help connect patients who are struggling with social support. Employers should check whether the employees are lonely and provide them with resources that give them connections.

In Japan, "Minister of loneliness" has been appointed to implement measures to prevent social isolation. It is found that the problem of loneliness and isolation has been linked to suicides among youngsters and the number has gone up amid the spread of corona virus. (mainichi.jp)

South Korea also implemented a law in April to prevent and control solitary death.

In UAE, there is a post for Minister of State for Happiness and the main responsibility of the Minister is to harmonize all Government plans, programs and policies to achieve a happier society. (u.ae/en/about-the-uae) In India, Madhya Pradesh is the first State to have a Happiness Department followed by Andhra Pradesh in 2017.

These are few examples of steps taken by Government to prevent loneliness or ensure happiness of the citizen. While the world is busy combating COVID-19 pandemic, the other issues should not be neglected too. Especially mental health of the people around us should always be checked.

"Sadly, too often, the stigma around mental health prevents people who need help from seeking it. But that simply doesn't make sense. Whether an illness affects your heart, your arm or your brain, it's still an illness, and there shouldn't be any distinction, we should make it clear that getting help isn't a sign of weakness- it's a sign of strength- and we should ensure that people can get the treatment they need."
-Michelle Obama.