Episode 20 - Breaking the Stigma: Understanding Loneliness and Its Impact on Health

Join us in this insightful episode of SDHC's Health and Wellbeing podcast as we explore the often overlooked public health concern of loneliness with our host Dr Nick Harvey and special guest Gill Reynolds from the Sussex Community Development Association (SCDA). Together, they unpack why loneliness is increasingly recognised as a serious issue, discussing the stigma surrounding it, the profound impact it has on both mental and physical health, and how it affects various age groups differently.

Gill shares her personal journey with loneliness and delves into initiatives aimed at reducing loneliness through community support and social prescribing. Find out how modern societal shifts contribute to loneliness, and discover practical ways to reconnect with communities and nurture meaningful relationships. Whether it's through volunteering, enhancing social health, or simply being curious about what brings joy, this episode encourages listeners to take action against loneliness both personally and within their communities.

Listen in as we redefine loneliness not as a failure, but as a human condition that everyone experiences, emphasising the importance of recognising it, discussing it without shame, and taking proactive steps to address it. Learn how addressing loneliness can improve overall wellbeing and how being socially connected is as vital as physical health.