Pet rocks might help ward off loneliness, but South Korean authorities feel more solutions-based measures are needed to fight the country’s isolation epidemic.
What happened: Seoul is investing ~US$326 million into anti-loneliness initiatives, including a 24/7 helpline, making counselling services available to all individuals, and community spaces where lonely people can meet up and enjoy instant noodles together.
Why it’s happening: Last year, 3,661 South Koreans, mostly middle-aged men, were found to have been cut off from loved ones when they died — these “lonely deaths” are ticking up. Meanwhile, 340,000 people aged 19 to 39 are estimated to be lonely or isolated.
- South Korea has also seen a rise in hikikomori, young people who voluntarily withdraw from society, launching a program last year to pay recluses to get out of the house.
Why it matters: The World Health Organization has designated loneliness a “global public health concern,” with countries across the globe — including Canada — seeing rising rates of isolation. Seoul’s new measures could give insights into how other places could combat it.
Yes, but: There’s skepticism these programs will do much without accompanying efforts by South Korean institutions to seriously change a national culture that has led to the highest suicide rate among OECD countries and staggeringly high rates of youth depression.—QH