Step inside a lonely person’s home and one will find quietness. The silence fills the room like air. The area itself takes on a certain emptiness, a detached quality whereby the pictures and knick-knacks seem as if they don’t belong, or as if the nails affixing them to the walls are about to come out.

Loneliness is ubiquitous. It is rampant in the Canadian Jewish community, just as it is outside of it. And it is not only sad – loneliness can be dangerous.

In Japan, those who purportedly pass away from loneliness have a name: “kodokushi.” Prof. John Cacioppo, a neuroscientist, described loneliness in the journal The Lancet as “a condition that makes a person irritable, depressed and self-centred, and is associated with a 26 per cent increase in the risk of premature mortality.”

Mark Robinson, the chief officer of Age UK, a British non-profit that works  with the elderly, stated that loneliness has been “proven to be worse for health than smoking 15 cigarettes a day” and can reduce one’s lifespan. Former surgeon general of the United States Vivek Murthy penned a piece for the Harvard Business Review, in which he stated that, “loneliness can cause cardiovascular disease, dementia, depression and anxiety.”

Canada has its fair share of lonely people. Studies conducted by Simon Fraser University show that one in five Canadians experience some degree of loneliness or social isolation. This is most prevalent among people over 80, especially those who have lost a spouse.

And here’s the thing: according to surveys conducted by the U.K.’s Office for National Statistics, young people between the ages of 16 and 24 stated deep feelings of loneliness, often associated with technology. It is also not unusual for university students to isolate themselves on campus or in dormitories, because they don’t feel like they fit in. This can lead to depression.

With this knowledge, the British government recognized it had an enormous national problem on it’s hands. According to the Jo Cox Commission on Loneliness, which was set up in 2017 to find ways to reduce loneliness in the U.K., more than nine-million British citizens “often or always feel lonely.”

British Prime Minister Theresa May therefore appointed Tracey Couch as the minister of loneliness last year.

That’s right, the minister of loneliness. Brilliant! This is something our government should consider doing, as well.

It is clear that our leadership and institutions need to recognize loneliness as a key priority. Jewish federations should also take the initiative by appointing directors of loneliness.

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Similarly, those who are lonely have to help themselves. Here are some ideas:

Schedule your day. Take control of your time by creating a plan and finding activities you can initiate or be part of. Volunteering can be a powerful activity, as it can foster social interaction and create a sense of purpose. Consider opportunities that involve working with people or animals.

Find individuals you feel at home with and initiate conversations with them. This can happen in a book club or at shul on Shabbat. Some shuls, like Darchei Noam and Shaarei Tefillah in Toronto, are making real efforts to reach out to newcomers.

Likewise, try to be positive, even though it can be tough. Have things to look forward to. Join a yoga program regardless of your age. Kitty Cohen, a Jewish community member, is 106 and still practices yoga. Find a meditation group. Laugh until you think your head will roll off. Read biographies of individuals who have overcome great adversity. Be positive!

Loneliness is a public health concern. It is a problem for our community. While there is some focus on loneliness, it is not enough. We need to create a stronger, more inclusive community, one that is more accessible and friendlier.

And to those who are experiencing loneliness, fight like hell! Your life can get better.