The EU Loneliness Survey 2022 reveals 13% of Europeans feel lonely most or all the time, and 35% experience it regularly, indicating a crisis despite digital connections. Loneliness is a mental state, characterized by feelings of disconnection and emotional deprivation even amidst social interaction. The implications are severe, with risks comparable to health dangers of smoking. To combat this issue, SDG Lab Venture Studio is investing $20 million into startups that leverage technology for fostering emotional connections, aiming to create 'virtual intimacy' as a solution to societal isolation.
Loneliness is a mental and emotional state where individuals feel unseen, disconnected, and emotionally deprived – even in crowds. It's a perceived disconnection, not merely the absence of company.
Social isolation increases mortality risk by 29% while loneliness increases it by 26%, comparable to the health risks of smoking 15 cigarettes a day.
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