World Down Syndrome Day – Together Against Loneliness
Saturday the 21st of March was World Down Syndrome Day. We at Premium Health ask the community to stand together to challenge stereotypes and celebrate the abilities and potential of individuals with Down Syndrome. World Down Syndrome Day was created to celebrate the lives of people with down syndrome and ensure they have the same freedoms and opportunities as everybody else.
We believe it's time to embrace diversity, inclusion and equality for all. By promoting awareness and understanding, we can create a world that empowers all people with down syndrome to reach their full potential.
Why we need to talk about loneliness
This year’s theme for World Down Syndrome Day is ‘Together Against Loneliness”. Loneliness is something everyone experiences from time to time and is a human rights issue. However, for many people with down syndrome and other intellectual disabilities, it’s a more frequent and deeply felt reality.
Research highlights just how significant this issue is: a study by Bishop, Llewellyn, and Kavanagh (Australia, 2024) found that 39% of people with intellectual disabilities often feel lonely, compared with just 14% of those without disabilities. Another study revealed that people with an intellectual disability are 7 times more likely to experience loneliness than the general public.
Families can feel the impact too, often feeling isolated and unsure where to find support. Loneliness can take many forms:
- Feeling disconnected from friends or community.
- Lacking a close person to confide in or share feelings with.
Loneliness is more than just a sad feeling; it can affect your mental health, leading to anxiety or depression. It can even harm your physical health.
The only answer is real inclusion. It’s about having valuable friendships and relationships and the overall feeling of being valued and knowing you belong.
This World Down Syndrome Day, let’s remember the importance of connection. Small acts of inclusion, reaching out, and building supportive networks can make a huge difference in the lives of people with down syndrome and their families.