And, yet, confirmations such as the one made by a 2021 Agewell Foundation study show that there is a significant rise in the number of Indians, especially among the elderly, feeling isolated.
Acknowledging that loneliness is taking ‘epidemic proportions’ worldwide, WHO has formed a panel to identify mechanisms that can be used to reposition the issue as a global health problem, and identify effective interventions to promote social connection.
Loneliness, as opposed to being alone, reflecting deficits in social relationships, can have severe consequences for mortality, and physical and mental health.
It’s no longer a ‘first world’ problem and can afflict everyone, irrespective of age.
Britain and Japan have taken the malaise seriously enough to set up a ministry of loneliness. India, too, should consider setting up a policy port under the aegis of the health ministry.India has always promoted social interdependence, whether through the family or community. But rapid urbanisation minus mitigation tools like public hostels or homes has left holes in the social safety net bigger than required to be safe.
Unfortunately, there aren’t enough India-specific studies on the burden of enforced isolation and drivers behind its spread.
Addressing this information gap should be the first step.
Loneliness must be studied within the field of mental health, to estimate its prevalence among different populations and sub-populations, with experiences and psychiatric comorbidities recorded. Indians can’t afford to be isolated.
