A new report released by AIA Australia, which reveals the effects that extended lockdowns and associated reduced social connection have had on Australians’ mental health, coincides with the launch of the Danny Frawley Centre for Health and Wellbeing – powered by AIA Vitality, at the St Kilda Football Club.
The insurer says that in the report it aims to understand the role of ‘social connection’ – the experience of feeling close and a sense of belonging-ness with others – as a driver of mental wellbeing.
The Power of Social Connection addresses the systemic impacts on mental health caused by the unprecedented living and working conditions experienced by Australians over the past 24 months.
AIA says that prior to 2020, mental disorders were leading causes of the global health burden, with depressive and anxiety disorders being the major contributors and that the pandemic has exacerbated this, with the number of people living with depressive and anxiety disorders increasing by more than a quarter in 2020 alone.
It says Covid-19 radically altered the daily life and working conditions of Australians by increasing job insecurity, financial strain, and isolation, amplifying the already significant demand for mental health services, products, and solutions.
Since the start of the pandemic, 61 percent of Australians have taken actions to manage their mental health with around 612,000 accessing support via phone or digital technologies.
…a lack of social connection can cause more damage to health than obesity, smoking and high blood pressure…
According to the insurer, social relationships can affect a wide range of health outcomes, including mental health, physical health, general health habits, and mortality risks. Studies have suggested that a lack of social connection can cause more damage to health than obesity, smoking and high blood pressure.
AIA Australia CEO and Managing Director, Damien Mu, says thriving communities generate a natural sense of belonging between people and that the daily lives of Australians “…have changed significantly over the last two years. Extended periods of lockdown, remote working and education have increased feelings of loneliness, stress and anxiety.”
He says the purpose of the new report is to progress the conversation around the mental health challenges facing Australians.
“We hope that increased dialogue about these issues and increased awareness of the importance of preventative measures, will lead to improved health outcomes…”
Regular connection to friendship and family networks is shown in the report to be key to alleviating psychological distress.
AIA says it has utilised the latest findings to inform and underpin its new initiative with the St Kilda Football Club, funding and co-launching the new Danny Frawley Centre for Health and Wellbeing – Powered by AIA Vitality, as part of its commitment to the improvement of the community’s mental health.
Mu says the centre “…is a beacon of hope for the St Kilda community and will be a place where people can create a sense of belonging and see their physical and mental wellbeing flourish. AIA Australia is proud to be involved in the centre and looks forward to hearing the positive stories that will come from it.”
St Kilda Football Club’s CEO, Matt Finnis, says all of the facilities and programs at the Danny Frawley Centre are provided to players, coaches and staff (past and present) but also to the community “…and that is what Spud, as the great connector of people from all walks of life, would have demanded of us.”
