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Motion · S4M-09775 · 22 Apr 2014

Recognising the Impact of Loneliness on Physical and Mental Health

Lodged by Margaret McDougall Members' Business Motion 28 supporters

The motion

That the Parliament notes with concern the impact that loneliness can have on physical and mental health; understands that approximately 10% of people over 65 in the UK, including in West Scotland, say that they are lonely or very lonely and 20% consider themselves occasionally lonely; notes figures suggesting that loneliness is as bad for health as smoking 15 cigarettes per day, can increase the risk of developing mental problems, including depressive symptoms and obsessive compulsive disorder, can more than double a person’s risk of developing dementia and increases the risk of suicide and depression among adolescents; believes that tackling loneliness and increasing social participation can reduce such problems and encourages healthy behaviour, such as stopping smoking, more physical activity and higher consumption of vegetables, and notes a recent VEnable report, which suggests that, when it comes to tackling loneliness, there is a major gap in services for old people that could be addressed by volunteering and befriending services.

Supporters (28)

Source: the Scottish Parliament motions and amendments record.