Moments Matter theme named for Loneliness Awareness Week 2025
Moments Matter is the theme for Loneliness Awareness Week, which takes place from 4-10 August.
Campaign organisers are inviting people to share real moments that spark connection, whether they be in the form of an act of kindness, a compliment, a shared experience or new hobby. Anything that helps people feel seen and valued.
The campaign is targeted at 16–25-year-olds, who are feeling increasingly lonely – even more so in a ‘digitally connected’ world. “We’re calling on all Australians to make moments matter at home, work, school and in the community.”
Throughout Loneliness Awareness Week, people are invited to share a moment on social media that strengthened a relationship, led to a friendship, or made someone feel less lonely.
They are encouraged to post a short video or photo on social media using the hashtag #MomentsMatter and tagging @endinglonelinesstogether (Facebook, Linkedin, TikTok) @endlonelinessaus (Instagram)
The organisers will release a new Research Report on 31 July exploring youth loneliness and connection, and the 2025 campaign website will have resources available and more information about loneliness and young people when it launches on 28th July.
Visit: https://lonelinessawarenessweek.com.au/
Social isolation and loneliness can harm both physical and mental health. Social isolation ‘means having objectively few social relationships or roles and infrequent social contact’ and differs from loneliness, which is a ‘subjective unpleasant or distressing feeling of a lack of connection to other people, along with a desire for more, or more satisfying, social relationships’ (Source: Professor Johanna Badcock, a leading researcher on loneliness and social connection).
According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, in 2023 among those aged 25-54, males experienced more social isolation while females reported more loneliness. Among those aged 55-64, males experienced higher levels of both social isolation and loneliness.
AIHW says social isolation is linked to mental illness, emotional distress, suicide, the development of dementia, premature death and poor health behaviours. Biological effects include high blood pressure and impaired immune function. “Loneliness among Australians was already a concerning issue before the COVID-19 pandemic, to the extent that in 2022 it was described as one of the most pressing public health priorities in Australia (Ending Loneliness Together 2022).”
According to an interactive graph on the website, males aged 15-24 were the largest cohort (25%) who felt socially isolated in 2022, although this dropped to 18% in 2023.
Further reading:
Social prescribing of men’s sheds: an antidote to loneliness (AMHF, March 2024)
Shining a light on the power of men’s groups to combat loneliness (AMHF, July 2024)
Predicators of male loneliness examined in new Australian study (AMHF, May 2024)