Mental Health Awareness Week

Mental Health Awareness Week 9-15 May 2022

During the pandemic, many of us experienced loneliness to some extent. In fact, more and more of us in the UK are suffering from loneliness, which is why, this year, the Mental Health Foundation has chosen ‘Loneliness’ as it’s topic for Mental Health Awareness Week.

Humans are generally a social species and regular social contact is vital for our mental health. Loneliness can lead to various mental health issues like depression, alcohol abuse and sleep problems.

Studies have also shown that loneliness has a similar effect on the body to chronic stress. Loneliness can cause an increase in stress hormones like cortisol which trigger inflammation and impair immunity and can also be linked to problems with attention, executive function, cognitive function, and even Alzheimer’s disease. A study in 2018 followed over 12,000 participants for 10 years, and found a significant link between loneliness and dementia risk—those who reported being loneliest had a 40% greater risk for dementia.

Loneliness and older people

Older people are particularly vulnerable to experiencing loneliness due to loss of friends and family, mobility, or income. According to studies carried out by Age UK:

• The number of over-50s experiencing loneliness is set to reach two million by 2025/6. This compares to around 1.4 million in 2016/7 – a 49% increase in 10 years
• Half a million older people go at least five or six days a week without seeing or speaking to anyone at all
• Well over half (59%) of those aged 85 and over and 38% of those aged 75 to 84 live alone
• Two fifths all older people (about 3.9 million) say the television is their main company

How can we help a loved one overcome loneliness?

The following are just some ideas on things we and do to help:

1. Give them time and listen! Sometimes, the best thing you can do for a person is listen. Simply having you there to listen can help your loved one feel less alone. Actively engage them in conversation, asking questions and encourage them to express themselves.
2. Encourage younger family to visit. Grandchildren, nieces, and nephews can learn a lot by spending time with older family members and, for your loved one, it may help them feel younger and more included in family activities.
3. Make a plan. Ask questions to find out your loved one’s interests and develop a plan to incorporate them into everyday life. If your loved one enjoys music, try taking them to a show or encourage them to join a community choir. If that is too much, simply taking an hour out of your day to share an activity with your loved one can make a significant impact.
4. Start a new hobby. Learning something new is the best way to keep your brain young. Encourage your loved one to take up a new hobby as a means of staying active and meeting new people. Suggest that they join a book club, start a knitting circle, or join a choir – one study found that group singing significantly boosts psychological wellbeing.
5. Take a class or seminar. If your loved one is still mobile, encourage them to take up a class or seminar to get out of the house and meet new people. Check with your local community centre or college because many of these places offer free classes for seniors. Also, try asking around at your local library to see what events are coming up.
6. Teach someone something. If taking a class is too much of a commitment for your loved one, give them the opportunity to teach you something instead. Take what you have learned by listening to your loved one and ask them to teach you something. Even if all they can offer is wisdom and helpful advice, it will help bring meaning to their life and restore some of the child-parent dynamic that can sometimes be lost when children start caring for their aging parents.
7. Give back. Volunteering provides a variety of benefits for lonely seniors, both physical and mental. In addition to promoting physical activity, volunteering keeps the brain active. According to Age UK, participating in meaningful activities can lower the risk of dementia and physical health problems in seniors. Plus, it will get your loved one out of the house and into a community.
8. Adopt a pet. While an animal might not be an equal substitute for human companionship, studies show that caring for a pet can provide both physical and mental benefits. In fact, having a pet can trigger chemical reactions in the brain that reduce cortisol levels and increase serotonin production. Plus, having a pet around will make the home feel less empty.

If you would like to get involved with Mental Health Awareness Week, visit www.mentalhealth.org.uk

Sources:

https://www.ageuk.org.uk/search/?q=loneliness&page=2#results&_t_dtq=true