Millions of men suffering ‘silent epidemic’ of loneliness, Jo Cox commission warns
Millions of men in Britain are suffering from a “silent epidemic” of loneliness, a campaign spearheaded by the late MP Jo Cox has warned.
More than one in three men feel lonely “at least once a week”, while nearly three million (11%) battle feelings of lonesomeness on a daily basis, according to the report which has prompted calls on the Government to tackle the sweeping problem.
Around 10% are said to bottle up feelings of isolation, preferring not to admit their loneliness.
The findings were released to mark Spotlight on Men month, a campaign launched by the cross-party Jo Cox Commission on Loneliness to shed light on male loneliness and ways to tackle it, using the slogan “Start a Conversation” as a call to action.
Labour MP Rachel Reeves, who co-chairs the commission, said: “Loneliness is a silent epidemic hidden inside every family and community in the UK and can affect any one of us and at any time.
“For the next month, we will explore how and why men experience loneliness and most importantly shine a light on the practical steps that can be taken to combat it.
“Now is the time to break the silence – and start a conversation.”
Some 35% revealed that experiencing loneliness made them feel depressed, and almost 40% felt isolated as a result, the commission found from a survey of 1,200 men.
Thirty-five was the average age at which men felt the loneliest, and 9% admitted they do not see anyone regularly.
Triggers are thought to include bereavement, moving away from loved ones, experiencing a break-up, or being unemployed.
Gay and bisexual men, as well as members of an ethnic minority, were found to be more vulnerable to loneliness, according to research by LGBT charity Stonewall.
Seema Kennedy, a Tory MP and co-chair of the commission, said: “Many men may be reluctant to accept they need support to address loneliness, which is why projects such as the Men’s Sheds movement, as well as many others across the country, are so vital.
“Today we are calling on the public, businesses and Government to consider what more could be done in their communities to tackle the problem – from starting their own men’s activity to simply making time to chat to those around them.”
An estimated 1.5 million men will be living alone in England and Wales by 2030, a 2014 study by population change think tank International Longevity Centre (ILC-UK) found.
It suggested that older men were more susceptible to lonesomeness as they are less likely than women to socialise and meet new people through activities and clubs.
A short film released alongside the month-long campaign features three men aged between 73 and 95, sharing their experiences with the emotion.
Ken Stanyer, who stars in the film, said his wife’s passing triggered his isolation.
He said: “I’ve always been a social person but when my wife passed away, it knocked me for six.
“I wouldn’t see anyone for days and found myself feeling incredibly lonely.
“I decided to do something about it and asked people where I could go to learn to dance and to socialise.”
The 88-year-old from Stoke-on-Trent said socialising through weekly dance classes made a “huge difference”.
The commission was set up by Mrs Cox, who was killed last year, and is being steered by a cross-bench partnership of MPs Rachel Reeves (Lab) and Seema Kennedy (Con), along with the Cox family and the support of 13 loneliness and ageing charities and campaigns.
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