Middle-aged men missing out on friendship can face physical and mental health risks
ABC Health & Wellbeing
By Darragh O’Keeffe. Updated 28 Apr 2016, 8:48am
Imagine waking up one day and realising — aside from your partner or family — you have no-one to talk to.
No close friend to call if you have lost your job, no shoulder to cry on if your parents are gone and no-one to support you if your relationship breaks down.
This is the reality many men face as they head into middle age. Not only are these men lonely, their social isolation has the potential to significantly affect their physical and mental health.
Studies have linked social isolation and loneliness to a whole host of health issues, including high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke and depression.
In fact, research has shown that people who are socially isolated have up to five times more risk of dying from almost all causes.
Men with lower levels of social support are also more vulnerable to psychological distress, according to head of research for beyondblue Dr Stephen Carbone.
People in their networks dismiss it or tell them to toughen up… that’s not exactly encouraging.
“Social supports act as a buffer, as a protective mechanism against the development of depression,” he said.
“Social connectedness is a major contributor to improved mental health wellbeing.”
Dr Carbone said our social networks were vital in helping us navigate life’s rough patches, and those without this support find their stress is not reduced by some of the “diffusing, de-escalating things that happen when you interact with others”.
Maybe these men can get by — but they’ll likely do better in the long run with some friends in their life, Dr Carbone argues.
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