News item | 25-09-2023 | 06:00
Almost half of adult Dutch people sometimes feel lonely. This is an increase of 10 percent in ten years. Almost 1 in 7 people even feel very lonely, according to the Health Monitor 2022. Not only the elderly can experience loneliness. It can happen to anyone. From young to old. That is why the One Against Loneliness campaign is aimed for the first time at all people who sometimes feel lonely. The campaign starts today and encourages people to do something about the feeling of loneliness with a small gesture or a small step. With themselves or someone else.
Loneliness is more than just a bad feeling. Research shows that loneliness leads to health risks and less participation in society. Especially if the feeling of loneliness is strong and persistent. Major life events are important moments when loneliness can arise. For example, when a loved one dies, you separate, you move, but also when you have a child or stop working.
State Secretary Maarten van Ooijen: “Everyone wants to feel like they belong and matter. If you suspect that someone around you is feeling lonely, a small gesture can mean a lot. But even if you sometimes feel lonely, a small step can make all the difference in doing something about this feeling. Such as visiting an old acquaintance again or participating in an activity in your neighborhood.”
Everyone can do something
The campaign motivates people to discuss loneliness and do something to reduce these feelings in themselves or someone else. For example, last month several billboards hung in the country with the text ‘Tring, if you recognize the feeling of loneliness’. The TV spot also shows that a small gesture, a small step can make the difference if someone is alone a lot after a move.
“If you ever feel lonely, it is good to first determine the cause of your feelings. Once you know that, you can try to change the situation so that you feel less lonely. For example, by making new contacts. Or by improving existing contacts. Help from your environment can help with this. But you can also discuss your feelings with a helpline or chat,” says Anja Machielse, professor and member of the Scientific Advisory Committee One against loneliness. “And if you know someone around you who sometimes feels lonely, make contact first. For example, by greeting, or by saying: ‘I enjoy doing something together.’ Suggest having a cup of coffee together, going for a walk or walking the dog together. During the conversation you mainly listen to someone, so that he or she feels the space to share his feelings. This is how you help with the first step in breaking through loneliness.”
The website eentegeneenbaarheid.nl contains practical tips for when you feel lonely, such as strengthening your current contacts, doing volunteer work or discussing your feelings with a helpline or chat. If you want to support someone who feels lonely, you can also visit the website. For example, for tips on how to start the conversation.
Week against Loneliness: September 28 to October 4
During the Week Against Loneliness, extra attention is paid to the theme of loneliness and social isolation throughout the country. Meeting and connection are central. There are special activities in many places where people can meet each other and make new contacts. The Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport organizes the Week against Loneliness as part of the action program One against Loneliness. Look for the activities eentegeneenbaarheid.nl/week-tegen-eenbaarheid.
Action program One against loneliness
The campaign is part of the action program One against loneliness, an initiative of the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport to reduce loneliness in the Netherlands. So that more people participate in society and feel that they matter. The campaign runs from September 25 to October 27, 2023.
The action program has been in existence since 2018. Since then, three quarters of Dutch municipalities and more than 190 national organizations, companies and institutions have joined. A Scientific Advisory Committee advises the program.