By Mark Waters
Posted in Faith
Mental Health Month – Loneliness
As Mental Health Month concludes, we reflect on its theme, “It’s Time to Talk About Mental Health,” as set by the Mental Health Coalition of South Australia (MHCSA). This week, our focus is on the pressing issue of loneliness.
Uniting Communities, through its “Overcoming Loneliness Project,” is at the forefront of raising awareness and developing programs to combat this significant challenge. As stated on their website, “Loneliness is a major concern in our community, affecting both mental and physical health.”
The report “Loneliness by Numbers: A South Australian Snapshot” (December 2023) reveals that the most vulnerable group for loneliness in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic is individuals aged 18 to 29. Alarmingly, “91 percent of people aged 18 to 24 reported experiencing loneliness often or sometimes.”
Our local churches play a vital role in alleviating social isolation through initiatives such as cafes, communal meals, game days, and book clubs. We are called to continue these efforts while increasing our commitment to addressing this loneliness crisis. Together, we can foster connection and support within our communities.
Resources:
Overcome Loneliness: Overcoming loneliness | Uniting Communities
Loneliness by Numbers: A South Australian Snapshot
UC7207_Uniting Communities_loneliness report_digital
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I am just like you. My immediate response to most situations is with reactions of attachment, defensiveness, judgment, control, and analysis. I am better at calculating than contemplating. Let’s admit that most of us start there. The false self seems to have the “first gaze” at almost everything.
In celebration of Resthaven’s 90th anniversary, and coinciding with South Australia’s History Festival (1-31 May), Resthaven has today, 7 May 2025, launched its new ‘living history’ website: Resthaven: A History of Caring.
No matter the religion or denomination in which we are raised, our spirituality still comes through the first filter of our own life experience. We must begin to be honest about this instead of pretending that any of us are formed exclusively by scriptures or our churches or religious traditions. There is no such thing as an entirely unbiased position. The best we can do is own and be honest about our own filters. God allows and invites us to trust our own experience.
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