LONELINESS AWARENESS WEEK AUSTRALIA
5-11 August 2024
The below theme, information and resources are from Loneliness Awareness Week 2023.
Right now, more than 6 million Australians feel lonely. That’s 1 in 3 people.
Your friend, neighbour, parent, partner, child, or colleague could be feeling lonely.
Why? Because loneliness is less about how many people you’re surrounded by, and more about how connected you feel to those people. It can affect anyone.
Despite how common loneliness is, 1 in 2 people are too embarrassed to talk about it due to misconceptions and stigma within our community. But we need to. Because persistent loneliness can lead to heart conditions, mental ill health, dementia, and premature death.
Reducing loneliness is a goal we must tackle together, as a country.
This year, for Australia’s first Loneliness Awareness Week, we’re shining a spotlight on the millions of Australians who are #LonelyNotAlone by sharing real stories and facts, and we’re encouraging everyone to take steps towards connection.
#LonelyNotAlone
#LonelinessAwarenessWeekAU
TAKE ACTION
1 in 3 Australians feel lonely
are ashamed when they feel lonely
don’t talk to anyone about feeling lonely
of Australians believe people would feel less lonely if they knew more people
of Australians know how to explain what loneliness is
State of the Nation Report
Social Connection in Australia 2023
A deep-dive into Loneliness and Social Isolation
The report does a deep dive into the knowledge, concealment, community stigma, and shame towards loneliness in Australian society. It also explores the impacts of loneliness on health, wellbeing, and workplace productivity.
Loneliness affects everyone, even those you’d never expect.
Listen to the stories of Australians from all walks of life.
JOEY’S STORY
26-year young above knee amputee and social connection advocate talks openly about how loneliness impacted his life.
TELSTRA – TALKING LONELINESS
In 2021 Telstra captured the reality of loneliness by talking to Australians and sharing their story.
Download our resources and complete free training to better understand loneliness.
AWARENESS TRAINING
KNOW THE SIGNS & WHAT TO DO
Feel more confident in how to recognise when someone is feeling lonely and what you can do to support.
A free 10-minute video for everyone – individuals, family members, health professionals and workplaces.
Create Connections
We can all create opportunities for Australians to build meaningful social connections.
Individuals
Think about your interests and values, as well as what you have access to. Explore activities or groups around those interests so you can connect with likeminded people
Schools/
Universities
Start the conversation with students on the importance of meaningful social connection – not just with same age peers, but also their capacity to develop meaningful connections with mentors, teachers, and the school community.
Workplaces
Find out what your employees are interested in. Host regular events or gatherings unrelated to work that allow people to connect on a deeper level.
Neighbourhoods
Organise safe spaces and places for people to meet and hang out with each other. Encourage people to get to know more than each other’s name.
Start conversations and spread the word online by downloading our campaign assets.
Don’t forget to use #LonelyNotAlone and #LonelinessAwarenessWeekAU and tag Ending Loneliness Together.
Social
Media Tiles
Supporter Pack
Thank you to our partners who are taking steps to raise awareness of loneliness and support all Australians in building meaningful social connections.
PARTNERS
BOLTON CLARKE
Bolton Clarke has been caring for Australians since 1885 and today supports more than 130,000 people at home and in their 38 retirement villages and 87 residential aged care homes. Their programs and services support connections with families and communities.
MEDIBANK
Medibank has a 10-year commitment to addressing loneliness in Australia. Their new season of ‘We are Lonely’ podcast follows the journey of four young people and their experience of loneliness.
AIA
As an insurer, AIA is helping raise awareness by educating communities about loneliness and its impacts on population health, wellbeing and productivity.
FRASERS PROPERTY
Since 1924, Frasers Property has worked to ensure the communities they create leave a positive environmental and social legacy. As part of this culture, they sponsored the creation of The Great Separation, a ground-breaking documentary exploring the causes, impacts and solutions to loneliness.
Loneliness Awareness Week in the Spotlight
The conversation has started about loneliness, let’s keep the momentum going.
It’s a Mind Field Podcast
Funded by the
NSW National Mental Health Commission
Damsel in Success
Hosted by
Edwina Robertson