2024-03-14 08:15:47
Officials in San Mateo county in California USA, which includes part of Silicon Valley, have declared the loneliness of its citizens a public health emergency. This town is one of the wealthiest in the United States, as it is home to the headquarters of many tech giants, such as Facebook, YouTube and Electronic Arts. However, it was the first county to make such a declaration.
The move joins the governments of Japan and the UK, which have created Loneliness Ministries, and New York state, which has named its first loneliness ambassador to try to tackle a problem that experts say is growing scary and mental health. The resolution included a commitment to help citizens connect and combat what experts call America’s loneliness and isolation epidemic.
In this context, the doctor in psychology Flavio Calvo (MN 66869), teacher, workshop leader and author, explained to Infobae: “Many people feel loneliness and that makes them, in many cases, seek psychological support. They tend to seek counseling because they feel frustrated by the difficulty of establishing meaningful social connections and the lack of close people to share their thoughts and feelings with. In today’s increasingly individualistic society, this problem has become more serious.”
On the other hand, Dr. Benno de Keijzer, a doctor from the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) and professor with a Master’s in Public Health Studies, Gender and Health, Art and Community at the University of Veracruzana of Mexico, stated in his article published in “gazette” that Mexican house of higher education, “throughout history, humanity has been more or less accompanied by loneliness. However, it has long been a social phenomenon whose negative impact on individuals has increased. Now, the WHO has highlighted it, and it is very good to address it. (…) People’s loneliness will not be solved with vaccines or medicines; a more complex approach is required.”
Meanwhile, David Canepa, vice chairman of the Board of Supervisors who introduced the legislation in Silicon Valley, told NBCNews that the rate in San Mateo is higher, citing a survey conducted by the county in 2022 (the most recent data recently available) found that 45% of residents were struggling with loneliness and isolation.
“What we’re trying to do is take people out of their problems and tell them, ‘Hey, look, there are a lot of people out there who feel like you. You are not alone. And from now on, here are some things we can do to support them,” he said.
The move in California comes less than a year after Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy warned of “loneliness, isolation and lack of connection” in the United States even before the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, which researchers say has feelings of isolation worsened for many.
According to Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director General of the WHO, “people who do not have enough stable social relationships are at greater risk of strokes, anxiety, dementia, depression and suicide”, which is why the health body launched the highest international The Commission for Social Relations to help combat the problem.
Canepa said she is also concerned about loneliness among teenagers and young adults in San Mateo, because they are often on social media, and research has shown that heavy use of social media can increase feelings of loneliness. Another reason is that the high-achieving atmosphere of Silicon Valley can cause stress in teenagers.
On the other hand, “people are no longer living close to their loved ones,” Jennifer Steele, executive director of the Meals on Wheels program that serves part of San Mateo County, told NBC. “Sometimes, in some cases, people are older than their relatives. Your social circle shrinks after retirement. “It’s harder for people to make friends,” he explained.
Some figures
Almost a quarter of the world feels alone. This was determined by a Meta-Gallup survey conducted in more than 140 countries which found that 24 percent of people aged 15 and older reported being very or a lot lonely.
Meta-Gallup’s Global State of Social Connections report found that people in Africa and Southwest Asia are the loneliest people. At least 40% of people in countries such as Afghanistan, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Madagascar and Uganda reported being very lonely or quite lonely. The least lonely countries were Russia, Germany, Ukraine, Sweden, Norway and Finland, among others, where less than 10% of respondents said they felt very or quite lonely lonely In the United States, 15% of people reported feeling very lonely or a little lonely, 36% said they felt a little lonely, and 59% said they didn’t feel lonely at all.
Impact on health
Concerns about loneliness are not a new concern in the medical community, and research shows that it can have a detrimental effect on physical and mental health.
Dr. explained. Calvo: “The psychologist Abraham Maslow developed in his theory a pyramid of human needs, among which was the need to belong. This theory shows that people have a hierarchy of needs, with the need to belong and be accepted by others coming just after physiological and safety needs. In other words, the need for effect is almost as important as the need for food or shelter.”
People who suddenly find themselves alone due to the death of a loved one or a significant change in their life, such as retirement, may be at increased risk for a variety of physical and mental conditions, says the National Institute on Aging engage in intentional activities with others tend to a longer, happier life.
Therefore, being in contact with healthy people is good for your physical and mental health. “When we have a meaningful social connection, our identity and self-esteem are strengthened. Feeling part of a group gives us a sense of purpose and allows us to share common values, interests and experiences. This helps us develop more self-confidence and establish a strong emotional base from which we can explore and achieve our personal potential,” explained Dr. Calvo.
And he added: “Friendship plays a vital role in our emotional and mental life, the lack of friends can generate feelings of loneliness and emotional difficulties. It is advisable to prioritize building authentic and valuable relationships. Friends enrich our lives, so it’s important to remember that we can’t live without friends, but seeking and nurturing these relationships is essential to our psychological and emotional well-being.”
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