Breaking the Silence: A night of connection and reflection
'Lonely no more: Unveiling Australia’s silent struggle', our PsychTalks event held on Tuesday, 14 November 2023, was a remarkable evening of conversation, connection and creativity.
Natasha Mitchell with panelists (L-R) Emily Unity, Rachael Wass, Laura Rouhan and Katie Greenaway. Photo: Simon Fazio.
The event, which was completely sold out, brought together individuals eager to explore the profound impact of loneliness on our communities. Our esteemed presenters, including Associate Professor Katie Greenaway, Rachael Wass, Emily Unity, Laura Rouhan, and moderator Natasha Mitchell, led a dynamic discussion on the pervasive stigma surrounding loneliness.
“Being asked ‘are you lonely?’ can be really confronting,” observed Rachael Wass, CEO of Meaningful Ageing Australia.
Rachael also highlighted the particular challenges faced by older Australians, who may be at a point where they are losing their closest friendships. “Once socially excluded through ageism, it can be harder to reach out and make those connections.”
Emily Unity, a mental health professional, pointed to a lack of education and literacy – being able to identify the feeling of loneliness, communicate that feeling to others, and knowing what to do about it – contributing to the stigma around loneliness. “We need more people sharing that experience of loneliness with others,” they told the audience.
Emily also shared their insights on the often-overlooked benefits of online socialising, noting that "Those friends see me for my actions, my choices, my values, and those bonds are hard to break."
Associate Professor Katie Greenaway, a psychologist from the University of Melbourne, stressed the impact of social connections on mental and physical health, urging us to confront the challenge of loneliness together.
The highlight of the evening was the live painting by the talented artist, Daniel Wein. His artwork, titled The Silent Struggle of Loneliness beautifully captured the emotions of isolation in the vast Australian desert. The painting served as a poignant backdrop, sparking reflection on the internal and external landscapes of loneliness. Daniel's live artistry added an immersive and captivating dimension to the evening.
Daniel Wein painting "The Silent Struggle of Loneliness". Photo: Simon Fazio.
The event wasn't just a symposium; it was a call to action. Attendees had the opportunity to visualise their group connections through Social Identity Mapping and received valuable tools and resources to make a difference in their communities.
“The more we sit with our loneliness, the more challenging it can be to take that first step. There are no one-size fits all solutions, but starting a conversation – somewhere like FriendLine, your local library or a club – can create those social spaces,” recommended Laura Rouhan from Friends for Good.
As the evening concluded, the buzz of excitement lingered, echoing the sentiment that breaking the silence surrounding loneliness is a collective effort. We extend our gratitude to our partner organisations, including Friends for Good, Contemplative Studies Centre, Meaningful Ageing Australia, and the Being Human Festival, for their invaluable support.
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