The term “Blue Monday” was originally coined by a travel company some years ago as a marketing ploy. While there is no scientific basis to determine that the third Monday in January is the saddest of the year, it is true that many people deal with Seasonal Affective Disorder in the winter months, when shorter days are coupled with greyer weather, particularly in parts of BC. Loneliness and social isolation are key factors in a person’s mental and physical health.
According to the BC Medical Journal, loneliness “is associated with reduced physical activity, insomnia, hypertension, cardiac disease, and early mortality,” along with mental health disorders like depression and anxiety.
Although loneliness has long been seen as a determinant of health in the senior population — linked to increased memory loss and poorer health outcomes for those who reported feeling lonely and isolated — a recent Government of Canada study shows that loneliness is increasing among younger adults, and that loneliness in this population group is directly associated with less employment opportunities, and lower income. Simply put: Loneliness is bad for your overall well-being.
The Power of Community
Community is essential in our lives. Community is a broad term and means something different to everyone. For some, it’s the family you are born into, and for many, it’s the friends you’ve made throughout your life. Groups with shared interests, work colleagues, or simply those who have shared connections to schools or neighbourhoods, are all examples of the communities where you may belong.
Many public health initiatives centre around community and connectedness. By working upstream to build a foundation of community for people throughout the province, these initiatives help prevent injuries and illnesses associated with loneliness and isolation. We believe so strongly in this work that we have funded several programs with a focus on community connection.
Public Health Programs to Combat Loneliness
We recently partnered with Island Health to award 22 grants to not-for profit organizations, schools, and Indigenous-led groups for initiatives that help improve mental well-being and build youth resilience to challenging life events. All of the chosen projects focus on the power of community, and emphasize the need for connection when dealing with difficult challenges, like the toxic drug poisoning crisis.
The power of community is why we continue to support Test, Link, Call, a program that provides cell phones and service to community members who are disproportionately affected by HIV, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, and Syphilis. An important factor in the success of this program is connection — peer navigators from Unlocking the Gates connect with each of the nearly 500 people enrolled, support them in learning how to use the phone and apps, and provide ongoing support. Besides the positive treatment outcomes we have seen from this program, participants have reported they feel that someone is now there for them, that they can reach out and talk to their doctor or peer navigator for help. They often speak about re-connecting with friends and family, opening up their world to more connection and community. Many of the apps pre-loaded on the phones promote connection to various communities, such as apps that connect to mental health services, the Talking Stick app for First Nations people that features an anonymous chat option, and even the Brave app, which connects users to a supporter who can help with overdose detection. These connections have led to life-saving support for some users.
We also proudly fund the Kloshe Nanitch medicine bundles project, because we believe in building trust and relationships with Indigenous communities. Our partner, Chee Mamuk, assembles and distributes medicine bundles that weave together traditional Indigenous and Western knowledge to support localized needs, and honour spiritual needs with healing herbs and traditional medicines. Not only are we reaching out to Indigenous people to form bonds of trust and friendship, but the items in the bundles have been shared throughout communities, bringing generations together to open the items and share cultural practices.
The human need for connection is why we also support food action grants for Rural and Remote Indigenous (RRI) Communities in the Northern Health region. These grants not only provide resources necessary for food autonomy like funding for farm equipment, but they encourage community gathering, providing opportunities for people to meet and share food together.
Connecting to a Healthier Future
We all need community — that much is clear. A healthy life, and solid well-being, starts with connection. Our Foundation will continue to support programs that build community and encourage togetherness. What can you do in your own lives? Don’t be afraid to reach out and form connections. You can look for programs in community centres, libraries, or local healthcare facilities, that can help you find a sense of belonging. And if you already feel supported by the community around you, reach out to someone experiencing loneliness and isolation. That small gesture may help improve their life in more ways than you know.
Donate to support public health initiatives bringing people together in our province.