The acting medical officer of health in Chatham-Kent is warning that loneliness is one of the new public health challenges in the municipality.
Dr. Shanker Nesathurai told the local board of health at its meeting last week that loneliness is more complicated than we might think and needs to be addressed, especially in rural areas.
Nesathurai said loneliness is worse than smoking 15 cigarettes a day or consuming six alcoholic drinks a day.
"In the public health service we're concerned about risk. And if someone told me they're smoking 15 cigarettes a day, I'd be worried. So, loneliness is a big deal," said Dr. Nesathurai.
Nesathurai said loneliness comes in different forms.
"One can be lonely even if you're living with somebody else and one can be lonely even if you're not isolated per se," he noted.
Nesathurai said lack of social connection affects a person’s mental health.
"What we're really worried about at the end of the day are that it's not just mental health outcomes, it's heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and premature mortality -- dying before you've had a chance to live a full life," Nesathurai said.
Dr. Nasathurai said living alone increases a person's chance of dying by 26-32 per cent and the risk of death goes up by 29 per cent with self-isolation.
The Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) said loneliness can be difficult, but it’s still just a feeling that can be changed.
"When you challenge feelings of loneliness or start to make changes in your life, the cycle of 'loneliness thinking' starts to break down," said CMHA.
Click here for more information from the CMHA.
