U.S. surgeon general’s warning about loneliness echoed in Canada
While the U.S. surgeon general is calling loneliness the next public health epidemic, some say Canadians are also struggling mentally and physically.
Earlier this month, loneliness was brought to the forefront through an advisory published by the surgeon general. Doctor Vivek Murthy’s report said half of Americans have experienced it.
“The mortality impact of being socially disconnected is similar to that caused by smoking up to 15 cigarettes a day,” he wrote.
The U.S. surgeon general’s report cited research which says poor social relationships, isolation, and loneliness can increase the risk of heart disease and stroke by 30 per cent.
The report encourages people to talk with health-care providers about their social connections.
Bette Watson-Borg with the Canadian Coalition for Seniors' Mental Health (CCSMH) said it was encouraging to hear such a senior official putting this out into the public health domain.
"But at the same time, it wasn’t a surprise to us," she said.
Watson-Borg is managing a project to develop Canadian clinical guidelines for social isolation and loneliness in older adults.
A part of this work is a national survey looking for the perspectives of Canadians over 65 years old.
She says the surgeon general's report is a part of a larger movement to bring awareness to the complex issue.
"Most of us experience loneliness at different times in our life, and it's part of being human. At the same time, the research is showing that extended loneliness can really start to have those effects, not only on our mental health, but on our physical health, as well."
Watson-Borg said she was encouraged by the U.S. surgeon general's calls to action at the individual, community and societal levels.
SENIORS FIND CONNECTION FROM MILES AWAY
Once a week, Ann Tigchelaar calls two women she was matched with through the Canadian Red Cross’ Friendly Calls Program.
"It's two older ladies. They are both very different, and they are both awesome in their own way,” she said.
They talk for about an hour. Even though they've never met in-person, Tigchelaar says a deeper relationship has formed over the years.
"I enjoy the friendship. I enjoy learning from them. I enjoy feeling like I’m helping them to be a little less isolated and lonely."
Tigchelaar said she also benefits from her phone friendships because she knows what it's like to be alone sometimes.
"During the pandemic, I really got a taste of what it's like to be isolated because people couldn’t go anywhere or gather or do anything."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
'State or state-sponsored actor' believed to be behind B.C. government hacks
The head of British Columbia’s civil service has revealed that a “state or state-sponsored actor” is behind multiple cyber-security incidents against provincial government networks.
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
U.S. says Israel's use of U.S. arms likely violated international law, but evidence is incomplete
The Biden administration said Israel's use of U.S.-provided weapons in Gaza likely violated international humanitarian law but wartime conditions prevented U.S. officials from determining that for certain in specific airstrikes.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Mother assaulted by stranger while breastfeeding baby in her car: Vancouver police
A person was arrested in East Vancouver Thursday after allegedly entering a car while a mother was breastfeeding her four-month-old boy.
'We have laws': Premier Smith says police action justified in Calgary
The actions, including the decision to use non-lethal force, to disperse pro-Palestinian protesters from the University of Calgary campus were justified, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said Friday.