The Dutch Tragedy That Brought Attention to the Importance of Loneliness

The Netherlands has launched a national campaign called "One Against Loneliness" to combat the issue after the discovery of a woman who had been dead for 10 years in her home. The body of Bep de Bruin, a 74-year-old woman who had isolated herself from society after a traumatic experience, was found in Rotterdam in 2013. The incident prompted local politician Hugo de Junge to launch a scheme to offer welfare visits to all Rotterdam residents over the age of 75. When de Junge became the health minister, he expanded the initiative to tackle loneliness among the elderly nationwide. The campaign encourages municipalities to create action plans and form networks involving health professionals, volunteers, and businesses. The Netherlands has one of the lowest levels of loneliness in Europe. The campaign has inspired innovative ideas, such as the use of "chatty checkouts" in supermarkets and a voluntary scheme where postal workers can report residents they think may be struggling. The initiative also promotes social organizations that have proven effectiveness and has expanded beyond the elderly to include other high-risk groups like informal carers, older migrants, and teenagers. The campaign aims to tackle the stigma associated with loneliness and raise awareness through special events during National Loneliness Week. The Netherlands is taking a collaborative approach involving the entire society to address the issue of loneliness and ensure that stories like Bep de Bruin's are not repeated.