We all feel lonely sometimes, but in a world where we've never had more ways to stay in touch, research shows that more and more Australians are experiencing chronic loneliness.
A lack of meaningful relationships and regular human connection can have a huge impact on mental health, and mental health challenges can fuel challenges with loneliness.
And if you experience a lack of connection or loneliness sometimes, you're certainly not the only one. Research shows that people can be affected by feelings of loneliness at any age, even when they have a lot of people around and live busy lives.
Here's what our most recent National Mental Health Monitor showed:
Answer YES or NO for the last 7 days: I have enough connection in my life and do not feel lonely
| Total | Male | Female | 18-34 | 35-50 | 51-65 | 65+ | |
| Yes | 65.3% | 67.3% | 63.5% | 58.5% | 63.1% | 68.8% | 72.4% |
| No | 34.7 | 32.7% | 36.5% | 41.5% | 36.9% | 31.2% | 27.6% |
The NSW Parliament is currently conducting an inquiry into the causes and solutions to the loneliness epidemic. We'd love to get your thoughts on relationships, connection, isolation and loneliness.
Whether you have cared for others experiencing loneliness or sometimes feel lonely yourself, we'd love to hear from you. You don't need to live in NSW to sign up!
Use this form to sign up to our Connecting with Loneliness Group and we'll be in touch with ways you can have a say and get involved.
