We urgently need new strategies to address the root cause of loneliness

The Open Dialogue Centre recently made a submission to the New South Wales Parliamentary Inquiry into the prevalence, causes and impacts of loneliness in New South Wales.

By way of a definition, the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare describes loneliness as a ‘subjective unpleasant or distressing feeling of a lack of connection to other people, along with a desire for more, or more satisfying, social relationships.’

Loneliness is prevalent in Australia, and in 2020, 54% of young people reported experiencing a lack of companionship. There are multiple and nuanced risk factors that can contribute to people experiencing loneliness.

While targeted, therapeutic support for individuals is essential, community-based, population-level strategies are needed to tackle widespread low psychological wellbeing, particularly in children and adolescents.

Open Dialogue is a transformative approach to mental health that is supported by the World Health Organisation, the Victorian Royal Commission into Mental Health and Australia’s National Suicide Prevention Plan.

Social network meetings meetings enable new skills, perspectives and solutions to address many of the factors that may be behind a person’s loneliness. 

When implemented with fidelity and coupled with bespoke training and support, the Open Dialogue approach has the potential to transform any therapeutic or community setting and the experience of the individual and their family, through its focus on relationships and social connection.

The Open Dialogue approach can now be implemented at scale in schools and place-based settings in New South Wales as well as other states and territories in Australia