Updated 19.22 | Published 19.22
Millions of Swedes lack someone to share everyday life with.
Today is Sweden’s first national day against widespread loneliness.
– Being alone is as dangerous as smoking, says Helén Andersson, founder of Singel in Sweden.
Helén Andersson runs the Singel meeting place in Sweden, which organizes several meetings on Fridays to break social isolation. She often meets lonely people and thinks that a national day to draw attention to the problem is important.
A sign that people have become afraid to meet others is that it is unusual to answer unknown numbers, says Helén Andersson.
– In some way, we have become afraid of each other. They don’t answer the phone. It also creates a distance between people.
Major public health problem
Involuntary loneliness is a major public health problem. Almost two million Swedes live alone and six percent state that they often or always feel alone, according to The Public Health Authority which recently produced a national strategy to reduce loneliness.
Research shows that long-term loneliness can affect both mental and physical health. The risk increases for, among other things, depression, cardiovascular diseases and premature death.
“Don’t judge protruding ears”
Helén Andersson believes that the internet and social media have contributed to the development.
– I think the internet is fantastic, but there must be moderation – you have to meet for real and look each other in the eye. You don’t take the time to get to know a person in depth, she says.
She also thinks that many people make too high demands when meeting a partner or new friends.
– Many have checklists for people. It should be so and so and look like that and blah blah blah. It doesn’t exist in reality. The first thing to do is to meet the person and not judge them because they have protruding ears, she says.
Acute shortage of men
Sweden’s first day against loneliness is held today, June 5. The purpose of the day is to draw attention to loneliness and its consequences.
During Friday, Singel in Sweden arranges several meetings around the country. But Helén Andersson also has her eyes fixed on the midsummer celebration in Falkenberg.
– I’m missing 30 men – there is an acute shortage of single men as usual. Women don’t need to be attracted, they just come.
