We’re bringing people back together
It’s time to make loneliness a thing of the past and invest in our most precious resource: our relationships.
Why loneliness?
Our national crisis
One-third of Australians feel lonely at least once a week, that’s 9 million people. Let that sink in for a second. This is the public health issue of our time and demands an urgent population-level response.
A silent killer
Loneliness increases the risk of early death by 26% and has the same negative health impact as smoking 15 cigarettes a day, with higher rates of depression, anxiety, heart disease, Type 2 diabetes and dementia.
Costly & avoidable
We do not have enough money, doctors, psychologists, community workers or services to clinically treat our way out of this epidemic. Taxpayers spend $2.7 billion every year trying to meet demand instead of addressing need in the first place.
Solving this together
New frames to face the facts
New frames to face the facts
New frames to face the facts
Loneliness is a crisis of connection, requiring a rethink of how our society facilitates relationships. It’s not a personal flaw that can be quick-fixed with therapy or ‘making new friends’. We’re shaping the national conversation and sharing stories that inspire action.
A movement for change
A movement for change
A movement for change
If you’re interested in addressing loneliness, then you have a place in our movement. It doesn’t matter if you’re a politician, business owner, local community group or healthcare service. We’re building a broad coalition to break down traditional silos and collaborate on real solutions.
Funding what works
Funding what works
Funding what works
We need to focus on evidence-based strategies that have been shown to effectively reconnect communities and enhance mental well-being. By identifying successful programs, we can scale them up to reach more people and create lasting change.
Meet us
We’re a group of experts and specialists committed to building a more connected Australia. And we’re always on the look-out for new partnerships and people to collaborate with—so reach out and connect if you have ideas on how we can work together.
Our community
The Foundation for Social Health was born from a simple but urgent idea: that rebuilding human connection is not just nice to have — it’s vital. Social health is the missing piece in Australia’s approach to mental and physical health. From loneliness to chronic illness, the evidence is clear: connection is prevention.
This movement is powered by people. We are deeply grateful to the individuals and organisations who have offered their generous insight, support, time and encouragement in these early days as we work to elevate social health as a national priority.
Individuals
- Kos Samaras
Director, RedBridge Group - Dr Rebecca Huntley
Researcher, Author, and Social Trends Analyst - Professor Stuart Kinner
Head, Justice Health Group; Murdoch Children’s Research Institute - The Hon. Rebecca Vassarotti, former MLA
ACT Minister for the Environment and Heritage - Solly Fahiz
Director, Atlas Council - Nick Tebbey
National Executive Officer, Relationships Australia; Member, National Family Law Council; Chair, Ending Loneliness Together - Professor Patrick McGorry AO
Executive Director, Orygen - Professor Ian Hickie AM
Co-Director, Brain and Mind Centre - Dr Sebastian Rosenberg
Fellow, Brain and Mind Centre - Dr Pramudie Gunaratne
Psychiatry Registrar and Advocate - David Faktor
Principal, Faktor Advisory - Stuart O’Neill
Founder, The Mental Health Pub - Glenys Reid
CEO, Chatty Café Australia - Milly Rose Bannister
Founder, ALLKND - Michael Claessons
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Project Independence - Gemma O’Loughlin
Canberra Health Services - Dr Vanessa Picker
Social Impact Evaluator and Strategic Adviser - Lockie Cooke
Founder and CEO, Indigenous Communities Education and Awareness (ICEA) Foundation - Nicholas Carlton
Founder & CEO - Spoony - Naomi Murphy
Indigenous Mentor for the Waalitj Foundation of Central Queensland and Chairperson of Woor-Dungin in Victoria - Qin Qin
Author Model Minority Gone Rogue, mental health influencer and advocate, director of the ACT Literary Festival - James Goodwin
CEO, Accommodation Australia and Chair, St John’s Ambulance - The Hon. Andrew Leigh MP
Minister for Competition, Charities and Treasury and Assistant Minister for Employment, economist and author of Disconnected, and Reconnected: A community-builder’s handbook - Senator the Hon Anne Ruston
Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Senate and Shadow Minister for Health and Aged Care - The Honourable Emma McBride MP
Assistant Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention and Assistant Minister for Rural and Regional Health - Senator the Honourable Dr Barbara Ann Pocock AM
Greens Spokesperson for Finance, Jobs and Employment, and the Public Sector - Mr Andrew Barr MLA
Chief Minister of the Australian Capital Territory - Zoe Daniel MP
Independent Member for Goldstein
Organisations
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International Collaborators
Contact us
There’s no question too complex, query too big or small. We’d love to hear from you.
