Research | Friends For Good

Research


This is an area where Australia has much work to do.

We need to know what the prevalence of loneliness is in our country and how it relates to a whole range of issues, so that we can inform policy and future planning.

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Launch date: 12 Sep 2023

Unveiling A Silent Struggle

Australian-First Research Into The Stigma of Loneliness.

We spoke to 1004 people across Australia and found that loneliness is highly stigmatised; it is hard for people to talk about and we urgently need to address this in order to help people overcome experiences of loneliness.

Some key findings from our research include:

  • 9 in 10 Australians have experienced loneliness at some point in their lives.
  • Approximately 1.7 million Australian adults often or always experience loneliness.
  • 84% of people think that others would feel ashamed or embarrassed to admit to feeling lonely.
  • People are more likely to disclose a mental illness diagnosis than an experience of loneliness.

 

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Launch date: 13 Dec 2021

Addressing Loneliness

Exploring Australian loneliness initiatives.

In this brief review we present a range of innovative and original interventions that have been implemented across Australia to assist those experiencing loneliness.

 

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Launch date: 12 Apr 2021

More than Medicine

Breakthrough research exploring social prescribing in Australia.

This report explores the perspectives and attitudes of people from across Australia about social prescribing and how they think it would impact their lives.

Key findings of this report include:

  • 14% of people had experienced social prescribing previously. Of those, 84% followed through on what was prescribed and 91% found it helpful
  • Majority of people (83%) would be comfortable or very comfortable with a GP or health professional prescribing social activities
  • When asked about how social prescribing might impact peoples lives, most (84.9%) felt it would either positively or very positively impact them

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ffg initiative loneliness in australia

Launch date: 25 Sep 2019


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Loneliness in Australia

Australia’s first representative survey using a loneliness scale.

This report found that an estimated 3 million Australian’s are currently experiencing high levels of loneliness.

Other key findings include:

  • Loneliness does not discriminate. It affects both men and women, people of all ages, those in cities, regional and rural areas
  • Higher income earners are less likely to experience loneliness
  • Money is a barrier to making social connections

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ffg initiative time we talked

Launch date: 11 Jun 2019

TimeWeTalked

A national campaign to help learn more about loneliness.

TimeWeTalked was a campaign set up to help learn more about loneliness by answering a completely anonymous survey and to provide a space for people to talk about their experiences.

With the help of the community, we were able to gather vital information about loneliness from over 1,700 responses which helped us launch new initiatives to fight loneliness.

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More initiatives
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Education & Awareness

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Service Provision

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Wellbeing

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