Social Isolation Has Deepened The Problem Of Loneliness

The transformation of loneliness into an acute state and the 3,7 percent increase in suicide cases, especially during the pandemic period, led Japan to establish the Ministry of Loneliness.

Pointing out the importance of loneliness and pandemic connection, Prof. Dr. Ebulfez Süleymanlı points out that people are more afraid of being isolated from their environment than the quarantine caused by the epidemic.

Üsküdar University Head of Sociology Department Prof. Dr. Ebulfez Süleymanlı made evaluations about the striking results of the studies on loneliness and loneliness established in Japan.

Suicides lead Japan to form the Ministry of Loneliness

Stating that loneliness indicates an acute situation in Japan, Prof. Dr. Ebulfez Süleymanlı said, “The fact that the Ministry of Loneliness has been established shows that the problem has been evaluated and action has been taken. The urgency and gravity of the appointment of the Minister of Loneliness stems from the suicides of the citizens. Justifying the establishment of the Ministry, Japanese officials stated that suicide rates increased by 3,7 percent, especially during the pandemic process, and that there was an unprecedented increase in the rate of women and school students among the social groups who committed suicide. ''

Ministries of Loneliness can be established in other countries.

Stating that the importance of loneliness and pandemic connection is reinforced by the example of the Ministry of Loneliness in Japan, Prof. Dr. Ebulfez Süleymanlı said, “We are getting the signals that such examples will increase in the world. Today, in countries such as Russia, there are suggestions for the establishment of the Ministry of Loneliness or the Ministry of Psychology Support. We can predict that such examples will increase ”.

The problem of loneliness has gained a global dimension

Drawing attention to the rising dimension of loneliness in the world before the pandemic, Prof. Dr. “But the conditions of the pandemic period have created new situations in loneliness and new problems with it. In addition, we observe that this situation is not limited to certain countries but has gained a global dimension. As a matter of fact, the increase in the feeling of loneliness caused by the pandemic is confirmed by studies conducted in different countries, ”he said.

Pandemic led to an increase in loneliness

Referring to the results of a study conducted in Finland, Prof. Dr. Ebulfez Süleymanlı said, “According to the results of the research, it was seen that the rate of people who felt lonely increased to 26 percent. Before the pandemic, this rate was seen as 20,8 percent. In the research conducted in the spring of 2020, it was seen that this rate reached 32 percent and was higher. "According to a study conducted in the United States, 50 percent of the participants think that loneliness can have devastating effects on mental and physical health."

Loneliness in America worries as much as Covid-19

Prof. Dr. Ebulfez Süleymanlı said, "Public health experts in America are worried about the loneliness epidemic that has ravaged the country for years as much as Covid-19," continued his words as follows:

“Experts warn the public that loneliness combined with asocialization experienced during the quarantine period can have serious psychological consequences in the long term. The gradual restriction of social life due to strict quarantine measures increases their loneliness, especially by affecting the elderly more. Additionally November - 60 years and over in Turkey in December, part of the research we are doing with thousand 598 participants of the pandemic period, families and 68,7 percent of individuals in the older age due to a lack of communication with their immediate environment, we determined that feel lonely. "

The pandemic has shaken our sense of control

Stating that the pandemic opens a new and more complex window with its main meanings and different conceptual aspects of loneliness, Prof. Dr. Süleymanlı said, “Because while the Covid-19 epidemic is spreading at an unprecedented rate in history; unconsciously, it created an uncertainty that pushed our limits of tolerance by shaking our sense of control and our belief that the future is predictable. In this process, our loneliness also increased. It is also possible to treat this as a visibility issue. The pandemic affects individual and structural experiences, inequalities, living conditions and moods. zam"It made a sociologically significant impact by making it more visible than it is now."

People fear loneliness more than quarantine

Prof. Dr. Ebulfez Süleymanlı said, 'One of the reasons why the epidemic crisis is so scary is that people are stuck between the walls of their homes, apart from the thought of being under quarantine,' and continued his words as follows:

“In this context, it is stated that the depressing of being alone at home or the fear of dying alone creates an intense psychology of pandemic loneliness by leaving deep and traumatic effects on human beings. Undoubtedly, social distance is a vital measure, but our loneliness is increasing gradually. Especially the weakening of our social ties due to social isolation deepened our isolation. In addition, this loneliness points to a situation very different from the solitude preferred as "precious loneliness". In other words, we experience that the isolation during the pandemic process does not fully fit into either the mandatory or preferred category, and causes both very individual experiences and a collective social experience and mood like never before. "

Isolation reveals the new face of loneliness

Stating that this diversity, expressed with basic distinctions such as positive and negative, preferred and compulsory, points to a much broader and collective scope beyond dualities, Prof. Dr. Ebulfez Süleymanlı said, “The compulsory isolation required by the pandemic has revealed a new face of loneliness. For this reason, we need to focus more on the individual, society, togetherness phenomenon, collective moods in the pandemic axis and increase both the scope and the level of effectiveness of psychosocial support activities ”.