World Friendship Day – July 30th

World Friendship day- why it is bad to be lonely?
30th July was designated International day of friendship by the United Nations.  The original resolution seeks to promote understanding and bridges between communities however friendship is also important to the mental health and wellbeing of individuals.  Failure to address their needs impacts on the economic and social wellbeing of societies.

It can be difficult to define what constitutes social isolation.  This paper  from the Oxford Poverty & Human Development Initiative 2014 considers the issues from an international angle.

UK government strategies/ policies to reduce loneliness

• The Campaign to End Loneliness has a research hub that links to recent examples of loneliness research.  They cite a number of facts about negative impacts.
• IoTUK has published a report on how technology might help