Health Issues 2005, Number 85, pp. 16-19. 1 Reducing Social Isolation in People with a Mental Illness: Views of Consumers

SANE Australia is a national charity working for a better life for Australians affected by mental illness through education, applied research and campaigning for improved services and attitudes. SANE Australia works closely with consumers and carers; in 2005, a series of SANE Research Bulletins was initiated to harness the views and needs of the thousands of carers and consumers who contact SANE each year. Twice a year SANE Helpline callers and SANE Website visitors are invited to provide their views on a range of issues that affect their lives. The first study examined mental illness and social isolation. This article looks at the key findings of this study and the implications it has for mental health policy and practice. Social isolation and loneliness are highly prevalent among people with mental illness. The Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing released a report in 1999 (Jablensky et al. 1999) that examined the quality of life of people living with a psychotic illness. The study, based on a sample of 3,800 adult Australians, revealed that 58 % of respondents were socially withdrawn, 39 % did not have a close friend, 45 % wished they had good friends whilst only 10 % of the general population reported feeling lonely. These finding