Survey on loneliness - 2022 Faculty for Social Wellbeing

Abstract

This study is almost an exact replica of the one the Faculty did in 2019 when Prof. Marilyn Clark, Jamie Bonnici and myself, were the authors. The study had surfaced 'loneliness' as a major social issue that affects our communities on so many levels (emotional, social and mental). The same three researchers were involved once again for the 2022 study (Annabel Cuff was added to the team). I am relatively satisfied that through the study of 2019 the Faculty placed this issue on the national agenda and now the general population, policy makers, NGOs, social operators, political parties and politicians are speaking about it - but as yet not much is being done in terms of direct policy actions. Another positive is that this study has steered the Faculty to research other areas like 'solitary conferment' and 'deinstitutionalisation', amongst other, which have also drawn the necessary attention and we managed to place even these issues on the social agenda. Our plan was always to have this loneliness survey taking place every three years so that we can identify any trends and how our social policy was responding (this exercise will be done in the coming weeks). In the meantime, the data presented in this document (more to be revealed soon) is a clear indicator that we have a serious problem to contend with and we urgently need tangible actions to respond to this growing and complex phenomenon.