There are calls for urgent action to declare loneliness a public health crisis in Scotland  they comes from the Scottish Forum on Isolation and Loneliness, co-facilitated by Befriending Networks and Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland (CHSS), which has engaged with more than 120 organisations across the country over the last year as it lays out its vision to cut chronic loneliness by half over the next decade.

Paul Okroj, Director of External Engagement and Service Development at CHSS and Susan Hunter, Chief Executive of Befriending Networks explain why the Forum’s manifesto for tackling isolation and loneliness must be taken seriously by policymakers.

Loneliness is not just a painful, personal feeling, it’s a serious health risk and one which impacts on a broad range of people across society. 

Globally, loneliness is linked to an estimated 100 deaths every hour and it’s entirely preventable. It is linked to increasing risks for coronary heart disease, stroke, depression and cognitive decline as well as a weakened immune system and early death.

We believe loneliness should be declared as a public health crisis and that’s why the Scottish Forum on Isolation and Loneliness has engaged with more than 120 organisations across the country over the last year to lay out our vision to cut chronic loneliness by half over the next decade.

Our manifesto for tackling isolation and loneliness looks at key areas of policy, research, interventions, data and engagement. As well as using our knowledge, experience and expertise in service and support delivery.

We feel the timing is crucial because, in 2026, the Scottish Government’s Recovering our Connections delivery plan on social isolation ends. We have called for a long-term strategic framework to tackle the issue which affects one in five adults in Scotland and the World Health Organisation (WHO) has also recognised as a “priority public health problem.”

We need bold leadership and long-term investment from the next Scottish Government to make Scotland a global leader in tackling this public health crisis and make a positive change in the years ahead.

Addressing loneliness will improve mental and physical health, strengthen communities, and reduce the financial burden on health and social care services. People who report being ‘often lonely’ cost the NHS at least an additional £900 per person annually.  

The Scottish Household Survey’s most recent research has also highlighted the devastating impact of chronic loneliness on health, wellbeing, and public services. 

Disabled people were more than twice as likely (38%) to experience loneliness as non-disabled people and 41% of single pensioners experienced loneliness in the past week.  

A quarter of those aged 75 and over, and 23% of 16 to 24-year-olds, experienced loneliness over the last week. It is for these groups disproportionately impacted by loneliness that the manifesto calls for funding for interventions. The aim is to prevent chronic loneliness and reduce inequalities in how loneliness is experienced by people in Scotland.

Another key aspect of the manifesto is declaring loneliness in Scotland as a public health priority with collaborative work carried out across communities at local and national levels.

The Scottish Forum on Isolation and Loneliness has built up the knowledge, support and delivery of interventions to reduce isolation and loneliness and make Scotland a more socially-connected country. We sincerely hope the next Scottish Government can heed these warnings. 

The Forum partners

Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland (CHSS) is Scotland’s leading health charity supporting people with chest, heart, and stroke conditions, including Long Covid, to live their lives to the full.   

Its Community Healthcare Support Services are there for people at every stage of their condition.  

CHSS provides a free advice line, organises peer support groups, offers health checks in local communities, and campaigns to improve policies and services.  

CHSS is Scotland’s largest volunteering organisation with over 3,700 volunteers who help to deliver services, run 43 charity shops across Scotland, and raise vital funds to ensure people with our conditions can live life to the full. 

Befriending Networks are the network for befriending organisations in the UK. Established as a charity in 1994, we have thirty years of experience of supporting and connecting befriending services. Our members form the largest network of befriending services in the world. 

Our vision is of a society where quality befriending support is available to everyone who needs it, and the importance of meaningful connection is recognised. Our mission is to work collaboratively and inclusively to connect and strengthen the befriending sector.  

We support organisations to deliver quality befriending services that promote well-being and meaningful connection. We do this by maintaining an effective and connected network of member organisations; providing information, resources, training, and events about all aspects of befriending; raising the profile of befriending and its impact; and coordinating Befriending Week annually between 1st and 7th of November.

Read more: Free resource boosts women’s heart health; All public bodies must focus on health, urges charity; Unequal health benefits of retirement revealed; Scots from poorer areas less likely to survive stroke

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