ME health organizations providing supports for lonely residents
Maine is in the midst of a loneliness health crisis and the state’s health organizations are focusing their efforts to provide supports and services for residents struggling with social isolation.
A recently published report based on research conducted by Cigna earlier this year revealed some stunning facts about the challenges of loneliness that have become increasingly common since before the pandemic. According to the new data, 58 percent of adults in the U.S. are considered lonely.
The report also shows that adults with mental health issues are more than twice as likely to experience loneliness than those with strong mental health. Of the one in four adults classified as having mental health concerns, 85 percent reported being lonely compared to 42 percent of adults without mental health concerns.
Given the pervasiveness of mental health issues in the wake of the pandemic, Cigna advocates the importance of raising awareness about loneliness and social isolation:
“It impacts us every day, everywhere, and while society adjusts to the new normal of work, family, social interaction, health, and safety, it’s essential that efforts to address loneliness and improve mental wellness continue,” the report says.
Anthony Ng, M.D., psychiatrist and medical director for Community Services at Northern Light Acadia Hospital in Maine, noted that one of the things they are observing in Maine is a lack of support for issues of isolation.
“People aren’t able to see their friends, family, and co-workers as much. Those traditional structures that people took for granted before the pandemic might not be there now and patients struggle with it because they have no one they can turn to. Even simple things like AA and NA meetings that they’re so used to going to regularly—they can’t go anymore,” said Ng.
On November 15, Northern Light Health launched its How Are You? campaign to address loneliness and social isolation. How Are You? turns a throwaway question into an invitation.
“People ask, ‘how are you?’ all the time. We want to go deeper. We want to create the connections. We want people to look within and answer honestly and to answer whether things are okay or not so that we can help,” said Jon Hutter, director of brand and marketing at Northern Light Health.
Northern Light is using its new campaign to emphasize its behavioral health services. The contact information for the Behavioral Health Resource Center at Northern Light Acadia Hospital, as well as their crisis lines are available at northernlighthealth.org/howareyou.
The research has shown that providing a check-in and asking questions are vital to combating loneliness. Do you prioritize others health before your own? Do you have sleep issues? Are you trying to stay connected? The How Are You? page on Northern Light’s website provides easily accessible links to providers where patients can schedule appointments and connect with outside community resources and social support groups.
Northern Light intends to incorporate additional informational resources, and further down the road, it will conduct consumer research to determine how people feel about their health status.
“We’re looking at those responses people give. That’s part of the reasons we are asking questions about how they are prioritizing their health; sleep issues; who are they talking to? How people are answering those questions will determine how we direct our resources,” Hutter said.
Other health organizations in Maine are taking up the fight against social isolation as well. The Maine Health Access Foundation published a report that addresses the impact loneliness has on older adults in the state and launched its Thriving in Place initiative to tackle the issue.
Concerns about social isolation are especially relevant in Maine because roughly one out of four residents are expected to be over the age of 65 by 2030. For older adults, isolation can be a predictor of poor health, anxiety, mood disorders, and alcohol abuse.
Additionally, the number of people living in rural areas and on islands with limited access to social opportunities and health services is a unique concern that exacerbates social isolation in Maine.
Thriving in Place works to bring together pre-existing services to provide residents the right services in the most convenient locations. It coordinates a range of supports and services that address isolation such as check-ins, access to services through home visitors, and fitness and wellness programs.