We call for a Ministry of Solitude, of Fraternity, Friendship and Sustainable Love

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Summer 2024, a new legislature: A chance to combat the societal disaster of loneliness

LONELINESS: A MODERN PLAGUE OF AN UNEXPECTED MAGNITUDE

Loneliness is a silent plague that affects millions of people worldwide. It strikes not only the elderly, but also young people, adults and even children. Its consequences on mental and physical health, as well as on the economy and social cohesion, are worrying.

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Cost of Loneliness

Health care reimbursements and losses due to absenteeism caused by loneliness-related depression cost the French economy €30 billion every year.

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Young adults affected

Generations Z and millennials are the most affected. In 10 years, 400% increase in cases of chronic loneliness!

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Social Isolation

In 2022, 8 million French people of all ages, or 13% of the population, suffered from severe social isolation.

THE MANY CONSEQUENCES OF LONELINESS

On Health
  • Mental Health: Loneliness can trigger anxiety and depression, increasing the risk of suicide.
  • Physical Health: It is linked to cardiovascular disease, a lowered immune system, and reduced life expectancy. The effects of loneliness are comparable to smoking 15 cigarettes a day.
  • Young vs. Old: Prolonged isolation has been shown to atrophy part of the brain and reduce empathy.
On the Economy
  • Productivity: Prolonged isolation has been shown to atrophy part of the brain and reduce empathy.
  • Health Costs: Direct costs to the healthcare system: Health problems linked to loneliness increase public spending. In France, these costs amount to around 1.5 billion euros a year.
On Community Life
  • Social Cohesion: Loneliness reduces participation in community activities and weakens social ties.
  • Safety: A cohesive, connected community is safer and more resilient.

ACT NOW!

Your signature can make a big difference. Together, we can push for significant changes to combat loneliness and its devastating effects.

Join us in this important fight and be part of a movement for a more connected and supportive future.

TO CREATE A MINISTRY DEDICATED TO LONELINESS, FRATERNITY, FRIENDSHIP AND SUSTAINABLE LOVE

Faire de la Solitude une Grande Cause Nationale

5,757 signatures

Faites tourner cette pétition autour de vous

Votre signature soutiendra des initiatives similaires dans votre pays. Avec plus de 5 000 signatures dans un pays, nous lancerons une pétition nationale.

WHO WE ARE

Action Solitude France is a 1901 law type association dedicated to refocusing on fraternity, a value of the Republic, at the heart of national concerns and making socialization secure and accessible to all.

Founded by technology and AI specialists, renowned philanthropists, social network leaders and citizens, it aims to combat social isolation. Its members include those who have suffered from loneliness and those who see their loved ones suffering from it.

Don’t stay alone, join us – we need you!

THEY SUPPORT US

OUR GOALS

Raise awareness among 20 million French people: Use social networks and influencers, aware of their responsibility to the problem but eager to be part of the solution, with the help of our volunteer honorary members and the press.

Get 100,000 signatures: Support the call for the creation of a Ministry dedicated to Loneliness, Fraternity, Friendship and Sustainable Love, as in the UK in 2017 and Japan in 2019.

Organize citizen oversight: Set up working groups with public authorities, and inform the citizens about public, associative and private initiatives aimed at facilitating socialization and combating loneliness.

Turn this national action into an international movement: Contribute to a more peaceful and caring world, because “where we socialize, we civilize.”

OUR MISSION

We are committed to:

Raise awareness: Inform and educate the citizens about the dangers and impacts of loneliness through awareness campaigns and community events.

Promoting social inclusion: Collaborating with various organizations to develop initiatives that encourage social interaction and mutual support.

Support local initiatives: Encourage and assist community projects aimed at strengthening social ties and providing safe spaces for encounters and exchanges.

Influencing public policy: Advocating for legislative changes and public policies that promote fraternity, friendship and lasting love.

Our mission is to create a support network where every individual can find resources, help and a community ready to welcome them. Together, we are working for a world where loneliness has no place, and where solidarity is at the heart of our values.

THE PETITION :
TOGETHER AGAINST LONELINESS

Action Solitude France launched a petition on July 11 that will run until September 30, 2024, calling for a stronger commitment from public authorities in the fight against loneliness.

We are calling for increased resources for mental health programs, community initiatives to strengthen social ties, and awareness campaigns on the dangers of loneliness.

We also call for the creation of a Ministry or Secretariat for Loneliness, as is the case in Japan and the UK, to deal with this issue in a targeted and effective way.

OUR FIRST 7 SUGGESTIONS
TO THE GOVERNMENT

  1. Understand: An exhaustive audit of the impact of loneliness on both health and the economy.
  2. Communicate: An awareness campaign so that no one is ashamed to talk about this feeling.
  3. Train: Provide more training for medical and paramedical staff on the mechanisms of loneliness, to avoid underestimating it and making mistakes such as encouraging people suffering from social anxiety to socialize, which can exacerbate the problem, as Dr. John Cacioppo has shown.
  4. Prevent: Strengthen preventive measures to combat insecurity during social activities, which discourages young people from going out, by including regulations requiring measures to, for example, limit the risk of being drugged.
  5. Enhance: Promote and subsidize intergenerational interactions to recreate family and social fabric.
  6. Consolidate: Share solutions widely to help couples and duos strengthen their love and connection.
  7. Dare to innovate: As was the case with the powerful alcohol and tobacco lobbies, dare to regulate social networks to reduce isolation by imposing advertising restrictions and financially supporting alternative solutions that encourage real social interaction.

THE CHALLENGE OF COMBATTING LONELINESS

Combating loneliness means boosting public health, improving quality of life and creating more cohesive, supportive communities. It’s a major challenge, but together we can make a difference.

Contact Us

F.A.Q

What is loneliness?

Loneliness is a feeling of detachment and isolation, regardless of the physical presence of other people.

Who is affected by loneliness?

Anyone can be affected by loneliness, from children to the elderly.

How can I help?

You can sign our petition, become a volunteer, or make a donation to support our programs.

What are the signs of loneliness?

Signs include sadness, social withdrawal, and reduced participation in daily activities.

How does the association help lonely people?

We will keep you informed of all initiatives and resources, public or private, to combat loneliness after evaluating them, so as to best protect you from abuse. People suffering from loneliness can be particularly vulnerable.