« If we do not timing the communication then nothing will happen »

The Ministry of Social Affairs and Housing is currently responsible for the project NumbersAwareness raising on social isolation. The project manager, Líney Úlfarsdóttir, is a psychologist who specializes in the mental health of the elderly. The aim of the project is to draw public attention to the serious social isolation and how to be part of the solution.

« This is a growing problem worldwide.

« If we do not timing the communication then nothing happens. Who does not recognize the conflict with a friend or family member and say, » Wow what a long time since we have met, we have to meet « . »

If you timing communication then you are more likely to let it go, if you say, « Should we meet and go for a walk on Tuesday? », Then you do. « 

Community type promotes the development

Líney says there is something in our community that promotes this development.

« People live one more, we work more behind a computer that makes it easier to isolate themselves ».

She says skills impairment can also increase the risk of social isolation. For example, hearing impairment can be subtle, all of a sudden it is difficult to be in a crowd and « you start to become aware of yourself, don’t want to say » eh?  » for the fourth time ”.

Then she sometimes says no more than poorly shredded stairs to encourage people’s isolation.

« You often imagine this as something that applies to peripheral groups or people who are either outside of turnover or a lot weakened, but we can all get into it. »

Society as a single whole

« What we found with Covid, when the universe predicted a lot in these matters, was that social rehabilitation takes a long time. Although the tricycle says » no restrictions « , you not just offer a party.

This happens slowly and if you have been isolated for a long time, the threshold can be really high. Then it is important that there is someone who welcomes you when you take the first step. « 

When you say « someone who receives » do you mean professionals or relatives?

« Look, I think it should be just all for everyone. That’s why we are in this general awareness raising, because although Svavar Knut draw the wagon, we don’t have the access to all who need help. »

She says they have both traveled around the country and met people at city meetings. The awareness raising is now underway and they hope that society will take a little bit on this problem.

« Of course, there are responders and staff of municipalities and social centers and everything that is very good, but it is quite this that the staff in the social center also does not know whether your neighbor is possibly socially isolated.

Now we are so much in communication via email. When it comes to the Annual General Meeting in the housing society, for example, you usually sent an email, but it is very easy to ignore it. However, if anyone knocks on you and says « It’s coming to the Annual General Meeting, are there any issues that burn you? » Can it break the ice alone. « 

Can come before everyone

On the Cabinet website states that everyone can get socially isolated. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines social isolation as a public health problem equal to smoking, alcohol consumption, obesity and other major threats to general health. It is the agency’s opinion that about one in ten young people experience social isolation and about a quarter of older people.

The causes of social isolation are multifaceted. The death of a spouse, divorce, illness, friendship, job loss and other shocks can be the cause of people drawing into a shell or losing relationships with the local community.

There are various tips for breaking social isolation, whether for those who are socially isolated or society as a whole.

The minister wants to open people’s eyes

Inga Zealand, Minister of Social Affairs and Housing, says that the goal of the awareness awakening is to open people’s eyes to social isolation in society and to raise awareness of our social responsibility. She says it is one of her heart’s issues to counteract the silent threat of loneliness and social isolation.

The minister says the pandemic has shown how harmful social isolation can be.

« Selected municipalities received grants to hire a counselors, but their role is to reduce social isolation of sensitive groups. They approach those who are socially isolated or at risk of isolated, including with calls and visits.

Inga also says that at the same time, many other projects are being worked on to reduce the social isolation of people.

« Now, however, I want to activate the community and open people’s eyes to the fact that there may be someone isolated and lonely in the immediate vicinity that we have not realized.

Do you experience loneliness or social isolation? Or does it have the feeling that someone in your local environment is socially isolated?

In the Internet chat and the Red Cross’s help phone 1717, information and advice around the clock can be obtained.