PsychTalks: The Rise of Loneliness

Loneliness is a universal human experience, and it can also be a serious public health problem. Feeling lonely can pose a bigger risk for premature death than smoking or obesity. It doesn’t just affect our elderly and those who live remotely, loneliness affects everybody at different times, taking a major toll on our physical, mental and social health.

It’s possible to feel lonely even when we are surrounded by people, and sometimes other people can even make us feel more alone. We feel lonely for a myriad of reasons, including relationship breakdown, overreliance on technology, keeping secrets and poor mental health. Tele-web counselling services are becoming more and more occupied by people who are experiencing loneliness and the impact on our economy and health system is huge.

Join our experts as we explore the psychology of loneliness and what we can do to overcome this significant burden.

Moderated by Lynne Malcolm and recorded for ABC Radio National's Big Ideas program.