The Japanese Prime Minister has just appointed a “minister of loneliness”, Tetsushi Sakamoto. Something to inspire France, where loneliness is also a real public health problem.
- Japan has appointed a minister to combat loneliness and isolation.
- 18% of French people say they have suffered from loneliness since the start of the coronavirus epidemic, compared to 13% before the health crisis.
- Feeling alone on a daily basis decreases life expectancy.
Faced with a rise in the number of suicides last year, blamed on social restrictions linked to the coronavirus pandemic, Japan has appointed a minister responsible for combating loneliness and isolation. A similar initiative was set up two years ago in Great Britain.
Something to inspire France, which is facing the same problem. According to the Fondation de France, 7 million people are in a situation of isolation, i.e. 14% of French people, compared to 9% in 2010. In January 2021, the Astrée association underlined in a survey carried out with the IFOP that 18% of French people say they have suffered from loneliness since the start of the coronavirus epidemic, compared to 13% before the health crisis (an increase of more than 30% in one year).
Loneliness degrades psychological and biological health
A real public health problem, because loneliness degrades psychological and biological health, sometimes even to the point of causing death. Thus, and according to various studies, the feeling of loneliness amplifies the risk of diabetes, develops cardiovascular diseases, accentuates mental illnesses, causes suicides and degrades cognitive functions. A meta-analysis of 148 studies and 300,000 participants shows that a rich social life is associated with a 50% reduced risk of premature death.
During a press conference on Friday February 12, the new Japanese Minister of Solitude Tetsushi Sakamoto indicated that he would initiate actions “to prevent social loneliness and isolation and to protect the bonds between people”. More concretely in France, associations help to break this vicious circle, by providing listening and support to isolated people: SOS Friendship, Astraea.
How to fight against loneliness?
In Nice, Justin mobile app was created to offer people who eat alone the opportunity to share meals with people in the same situation. Ammy Generations offers a somewhat similar concept, allowing old people and young people to meet for a meal. Sport or associative investment also make it possible to create new social circles. More medical, psychological support can also be beneficial.
In short, even if the feeling of loneliness often gives the impression of being at an impasse, many solutions exist, which it is necessary, even if it is not always easy at the beginning, to try to invest.
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