Loneliness doubles the risk of an early death

LONELY Scots are twice as likely to die early and the Government should adopt a zero-tolerance approach to isolation, an MSP has said.

Isolation is seen as the next great health crisis, with tens of thousands of pensioners losing touch with family and friends.

Margaret McCulloch, convener of the equal opportunity committee, said many Scots started 2016 with nothing to put in the calendar.

A study carried out by her committee found that television is the ‘main form of company’ for 40 per cent of older people.

But Mrs McCulloch warned it was not just pensioners affected and called for a culture change to protect people of all ages from physical and mental health problems. She told MSPs: ‘We need a lack of acceptance about social isolation – a zero tolerance, if you like, so that we change our thinking and tackle the problem.

‘Best practice has shown us that lives can be changed and, sometimes, with very small but intelligent interventions.’

The committee had heard evidence from the Institute for Research and Innovation in Social Services on the range of health problems lonely people are likely to face.

‘People who are lonely are more likely to have health issues such as high blood pressure, poor sleep and depression,’ Mrs McCulloch said.

‘For older people there are proven links between loneliness and poor health, including dementia rates.

‘And we also heard that, on average, socially isolated individuals were twice as likely to die prema-

CHILDREN are plagued by loneliness and low selfesteem due to the pressures of modern life, says ChildLine.

The charity, marking its 30th anniversary, said new issues such as cyberbullying and social media are affecting children.

In 1986, when the 24-hour helpline began, the top concerns were sexual abuse, family problems, physical abuse and pregnancy.

Last year, the main issues for the NSPCC-run service included low self-esteem, bullying – including cyberbullying – and self-harm.

NSPCC chief executive Peter Wanless said: ‘It’s clear… we have a nation of deeply unhappy children. The pressure to keep up with friends and have the perfect life online is adding to the sadness that many young people feel.’

‘This century’s new malaise’

turely.‘ According to charity Food Train, one in ten of those over 65 is often or always lonely, rising to half among the over-80s.

Last October, the committee’s Age and Social Isolation report warned the loneliness epidemic should be treated as a public health priority.

It made recommendations to ministers including a ‘national strategy’ to tackle isolation, better community transport facilities and housing developments designed so that people use ‘communal’ space.

The report also said a campaign should be launched to persuade families to visit elderly relatives – and encourage people to think about elderly neighbours.

At Holyrood yesterday, Local Government and Community Empowerment Minister Marco Biagi warned there were ‘no quick fixes’ but said ‘the time is right to take action’.

Former Tory leader Annabel Goldie said there was cross-party support for government action to tackle ‘this century’s new malaise’.