social connection as medicine: the loneliness epidemic

Canberra recorded a 22 per cent increase in calls to Beyond Blue ACT helplines in the first half of 2026, with many callers citing prolonged periods without face-to-face contact.

Work-from-home patterns that accelerated after the 2024 federal public service review have left many public servants in suburbs such as Belconnen and Woden spending entire weekdays alone. The pattern matches national figures showing one in five adults now report weekly feelings of isolation, a jump from pre-pandemic levels tracked by the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

Local programs turning numbers into action

Parkrun Tuggeranong meets every Saturday at 8 am along the shores of Lake Tuggeranong, drawing 250 to 300 runners and walkers who chat over coffee afterward at the nearby lakeside pavilion. Participants pay nothing to join. In Civic, the ANU Active program runs free Wednesday evening walks that start at University Avenue and loop through the National Botanic Gardens before finishing with group stretches at 7 pm.

These gatherings operate alongside ACT Health’s Mental Health First Aid courses, which cost $35 for a two-day session held monthly at the Belconnen Community Centre on Swanson Court. Spots fill within days of opening.

Evidence and next steps

A 2025 University of Canberra study of 1,800 ACT residents found that people attending at least one weekly group activity reported 34 per cent lower stress scores on the Perceived Stress Scale than those who did not. The same research linked regular social contact to fewer visits to general practitioners for anxiety-related complaints.

Residents can start by checking the ACT Health website for upcoming sessions or signing up for Parkrun Tuggeranong via its online roster. Those preferring indoor options can contact Beyond Blue ACT for details on current peer-support meet-ups in Manuka. Local GPs at the Canberra Hospital outpatient clinic can also provide referrals to nearby programs when patients mention ongoing feelings of disconnection.