Ongoing loneliness in New Zealand has increased, particularly for our youth, as the country continues to battle Covid-19.
A report from the Loneliness New Zealand charitable trust found loneliness in youth increased from 5.8 percent before Covid-19 struck to 20.8 percent during the lockdown and currently remains at high at 17 percent.
“It is disheartening that after lockdown, one in six of our youth feel lonely most or all of the time,” says Dr Spencer Scoular, author of the report.
Youth loneliness levels were far higher than those of seniors, which were 3.9 percent after lockdown.
Since the lockdown, other groups experiencing higher loneliness include sole parents at 18 per cent, the unemployed at 16 per cent, and Asians at 13 per cent.
With increased unemployment, lower incomes, border restrictions and working from home, the ability for people to create and sustain high meaningful relationships has been reduced.
These meaningful connections is what conquers prolonged loneliness, Scouler says.
