SDLP Foyle MLA Sinéad McLaughlin has urged progress to be made on a Loneliness Strategy, following the results of a new report that shows 20.7% of people in Derry City and Strabane reported feeling lonely at least some of the time.
According to the ‘Wellbeing In Northern Ireland Report 2021-22’, Derry City and Strabane ranked 6th among local government districts for this metric of loneliness, with fewer people reporting lonely at least some the time than areas like Belfast, but more than areas like Mid Ulster and Antrim and Newtownabbey.
Said Ms. McLaughlin: “Loneliness affects many of us at some point in our lives, but we are learning more than ever now about the effects of chronic loneliness on the health and wellbeing of our people.
“While loneliness is a normal human emotion, we need to guard against chronic loneliness, particularly for those who are more vulnerable in our city.
“Those at particular risk of loneliness can include people with a disability as well as people not in paid employment.
“Many people are not aware that the impact of loneliness can actually be compared to the severity of smoking, obesity or air pollution when it comes to health outcomes.
“I know that some in our city can go days and weeks without social interaction and that can have a real impact on their likelihood of developing serious physical and mental health conditions.
“This is particularly concerning given the cost-of-living crisis, when people may become more isolated.
“The SDLP has been at the forefront of this issue including previously leading on the All-Party Group on Loneliness.
“The truth is that in order to tackle loneliness, we need to see cross-cutting actions across Departments, within the framework of a Loneliness Strategy.
“This report offers valuable data that can help inform the actions that will be identified to tackle the root cause of loneliness in our communities.
“If and when an Executive is restored, I will be pressing the Health Minister to commit to accelerating progress on this Strategy so we can address the challenges that loneliness poses for far too many of our citizens.”
