Why talking about loneliness matters to the mental health of consumers and to the work of the psychiatrist

A new year brings with it opportunities to think and act differently as individuals, families and as a community and to talk openly and take action on what needs to change to improve the mental health of all members of the community. Many investigations have taken place over the last few years that have identified unmet mental health needs; we understand what needs to change, and promises have been made about timely, affordable quality mental health care for all Australians. There is so much promise about mental health reform, yet some of our society’s most pressing challenges to mental health, including family violence, poverty, stigma, discrimination and racism, continue to dominate public discourse. Other issues, such as loneliness, are barely noticed at all.