The Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) has today released Belonging Matters – the social connection report, detailing how loneliness and social disconnection are now among the most urgent public health challenges facing communities across the world.
Drawing on expert technical papers from mental health leaders, Dr Stephen Carbone and the team led by Professor Rosemary Calder at Victoria University, the report found that strong, connected neighbourhoods are one of the most powerful protective factors against mental ill-health, distress and suicide.
The MAV report highlights that despite billions spent on mental health services, demand continues to rise, with the Australian Productivity Commission citing the effects of mental ill-health and suicide costing Australia over $200 billion a year through lost productivity and reduced life expectancy.
Loneliness alone costs the Australian economy an estimated $2.7 billion annually.
MAV President and Macedon Rangers Shire Councillor, Jennifer Anderson said the findings should be a wake‑up call for governments.
“Despite billions spent on mental health, loneliness and disconnection are eroding our communities from the inside out. Let’s work on preventing problems in the first place by working on being well together,” she said.
The report outlines how councils already deliver the community infrastructure and programs that foster belonging – libraries, neighbourhood houses, recreation centres, open spaces, youth programs, community events, active transport networks and more. But it warns that critical gaps remain between national/state strategies and the untapped potential of local communities.
The MAV is calling for:
- A minimum 5% of national and state health budgets to be directed to ill-health prevention;
- A Community Cohesion Action Fund for grassroots local initiatives;
- A Local Issues, Local Solutions program to combat misinformation and build trust;
- A Community Infrastructure Renewal Fund to strengthen places where people connect;
- Local government’s role to be acknowledged and recognised in national arrangements, including the National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Agreement and the National Stigma and Discrimination Reduction Strategy currently under development;
- Expansion of the Victorian Social Inclusion Action Groups initiative recommended by the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System.
“Local, place-based infrastructure and social connections for wellbeing is there – deep and wide community networks facilitated by councils, local services and facilities such as public libraries, recreation centres, parks and community centres,” said Cr Anderson.
“But if people aren’t linked to these through programs that foster participation, interaction and engagement, the community can’t experience the full benefits of social connection, belonging, and collective resilience.”
The Association says it will now work with councils, partners and all levels of government to progress the report’s recommendations ahead of the Victorian State Election and respective federal and state Budgets.
Read the report here:Â https://www.mav.asn.au/what-we-do/policy-advocacy/public-health-safety/leading-healthy-communities/social-connection.
