
The Professional Association of Austrian Psychologists (BÖP) has called for targeted measures to address the growing number of individuals in Austria who report experiencing loneliness.
According to a recent study by the charitable organisation Caritas Austria, around 600,000 people in Austria say they feel lonely more than half of the time.
The study highlights that this issue particularly affects the elderly, young people, and those at risk of poverty. The feeling of loneliness can be exacerbated during the summer months when friends, family and familiar contacts are on holiday, leaving many individuals isolated.
At a press conference this week, BÖP, along with several organisations including Caritas Austria, Diakonie Austria and the Austrian Red Cross, presented a list of 10 demands to tackle the problem.
Key points include the need for de-stigmatisation and increased awareness, additional resources for community-based care, and greater support for individuals with chronic and severe illnesses. There is also a call for more accessible and free services, social networking opportunities, free psychological care, and a stronger commitment from the government to effectively address the problem.
The full list of demands can be read here.
The World Health Organization recently underscored that social isolation poses a significant health risk. Those without strong social connections are at a higher risk of strokes, anxiety disorders, dementia, depression and suicide. The impact on mortality is said to be comparable to other well-known risk factors such as smoking, obesity, or physical inactivity.