Connection in Action: A coordinated response to Loneliness Awareness Week

Through Connection in Action, more than twenty local organizations are collaborating to reduce social isolation in the Capital Region by raising awareness, hosting events, and sparking conversations for Loneliness Awareness Week (June 15-21).

The World Health Organization (WHO) describes loneliness and social isolation as “severe and underrecognized” major public health problems, and has summarized research linking them to depression, anxiety, and measurable and significant increases in heart disease, stroke, dementia, and early mortality.

Canada is not immune. In surveys conducted in 2019, 45% of Canadians said they hadn’t socialized with neighbours in the previous month. According to the Angus Reid Institute 51% of Canadians were somewhat or very isolated, and 48% somewhat or very lonely. Visible minorities, Indigenous Canadians, those with mobility challenges, and members of the LGBTQ2 community were more likely to experience social isolation and loneliness.

“Loneliness and isolation can take a real toll on both mental and physical health, and can also affect sleep, stress levels, and day-to-day functioning,” says Dr. Melissa Wan, Medical Health Officer at Island Health. “By contrast, staying connected to other people can lower stress, support mental wellbeing, strengthen resilience, and reduce the risk of serious health problems.”

Led by Building Resilient Neighbourhoods (BRN) in partnership with the Capital Regional District Community Health Network (CRD CHN), the Capital Region Connection in Action campaign launched with a workshop in May where more than 100 local residents learned skills and made plans for building social connections.

“It was exciting to get such a large turnout, and see so many local residents pledge to connect with neighbours leading up to Loneliness Awareness Week,” says BRN Executive Director Stacy Barter, whose organization runs a program that helps neighbours collaborate on emergency preparedness. “Now, local organizations large and small are joining up to raise public awareness of social isolation, and engage even more people in positive solutions.“

Participating groups are posting regularly on social media about the harms of isolation and benefits of social connections, and highlighting simple actions anyone can take to bolster community connectivity. Everyone is invited to share stories, and register events on the Connection in Action calendar.

Activities occurring during the week include Beacon Community Services’ Speed Friending, Luther Court Society’s Craft & Connect workshop, Let’s Talk events at various venues, board game socials, a play-gym for pre-schoolers, and discussion of Indigenous perspectives in East Sooke Regional Park.

West Coast Speaks Health Society will host Meet a Stranger, where participants get paired up for a one-hour conversation. “Many people want more real-world connections in their lives, but spending so much time online has left them not knowing how to begin,” says founder Carrie Parsons. Participants can draw from playful or thought-provoking prompts like “Who taught you something valuable that you still carry with you today?”

Gatherly, “a social community club on a mission to turn strangers into friends,” is hosting a series of public picnics around Greater Victoria throughout Loneliness Awareness Week, to help people connect with others in their own neighbourhoods. “All of our gatherings are intentionally designed to encourage connection and conversations through shared experiences,” says founder Tessa Saeedi. “Connection doesn’t have to be complicated. Sometimes it simply starts with showing up and being open.”

“Connection in Action is a proactive way to encourage participation in creating more connected and resilient communities across our region,” says CRD CHN’s Kirsten Mah. “It’s easy to join in, and the more people who do, the more these successes get multiplied for all of us.”