21/07/2025
🌍 The WHO flags social isolation & loneliness as a pressing global health issue—impacting 1 in 6 people, contributing to heart disease, depression, cognitive decline, and even premature death. Solutions exist, and recreational therapists are uniquely positioned to lead the charge. (World Health Organisation)
🎯 Why this matters for Recreational Therapists:
📚 Evidence-based impact
The WHO Commission on Social Connection’s flagship report emphasises: social disconnection dramatically harms health—but can be reversed through community-based interventions. (World Health Organisation)
Scope for impact
During the UN Decade of Healthy Ageing (2021–2030), the WHO commits to strategies that reduce isolation through in-person and digital methods—such as group support, skill training, and befriending programs. (Greatsenioryears, World Health Organisation)
🛠 How we can act:
Intervention Area: Role of Recreational Therapists
✅ Group activities (art, music, movement) Foster social engagement, enhance mood & release endorphins. (stjamesrehab.com)
✅ Therapeutic interventions Address loneliness explicitly—help clients explore feelings, build communication skills, strengthen intergenerational bonds. (rectherapytoday.com, https://lnkd.in/gyZE5x4x)
✅ Community linkage: Connect individuals to local clubs, nature groups ("social prescribing") and other inclusive spaces. (World Health Organisation, https://lnkd.in/gyZE5x4x)
✅ Holistic benefits Broad social interaction reduces sedentary behaviour, supports cognitive health, and fosters emotional resilience. (ijhsr.org)
🔑 Takeaways:
📌 Therapeutic Recreation promotes health through leisure
📌Our interventions foster social bonds, promote wellbeing, and prevent isolation across all age groups.
📌We play an essential role in the Decade of Healthy Ageing, translating WHO’s strategic priorities into meaningful, person-centred support.
📢 Call to action:
Let’s champion recreation-centred programs as national and local policy tools. Share your strategies, outcomes, and stories that demonstrate how social connection saves lives. Let’s collaborate, innovate, and build healthier communities through recreational therapy.
Read the World Health Organisation report here 👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇
https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/978240112360
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This landmark report from the WHO Commission on Social Connection highlights that social isolation and loneliness are widespread, with serious but under-recognized impacts on health, well-being, and society. Drawing on the latest evidence, the report makes a compelling case for urgent action. It out...
