Annika Rohrmoser, psychologist and PhD student at the Institute for Biomedical Ethics, has contributed an article to the Christoph Merian Foundation’s (CMS) new publication on the topic of Loneliness. She discusses various ways in which loneliness can be addressed at the individual, community and societal levels, and highlights the challenges of translating these approaches into practice. As part of the INCLUDE project, she investigates the needs of people experiencing loneliness, helping to address an important gap in existing research.

The publication:

Loneliness has become a pressing social challenge of our time – and is no longer a marginal phenomenon. With its new publication “Loneliness”, the Christoph Merian Foundation (CMS) provides a comprehensive examination of this complex issue. The authors set out concrete recommendations for action for policymakers, public administration, researchers and civil society.

Loneliness affects people of all ages, life situations and social backgrounds. However, the trend among young people is particularly alarming: adolescents and young adults are feeling lonely with increasing frequency and at a higher rate than average. This trend is also evident in the city of Basel.

The publication brings together portraits of those affected in the Basel region with well-researched contributions from experts across various disciplines. It becomes clear that loneliness is not merely an individual feeling, but a social phenomenon with far-reaching consequences. As a “thirst for social relationships” (John Cacioppo), loneliness can serve as an important signal in the short term. However, if it becomes chronic, it leads to considerable stress, impairs quality of life and can make people ill.

Against this backdrop, CMS has established mental health as a distinct area of focus within its funding programme since 2025, with an annual budget of CHF 900,000. The focus is particularly on preventive approaches that prevent social isolation and strengthen social participation. The aim is to empower people to actively participate in social life once again and build sustainable relationships.

This publication contributes to this by bringing together experiences and insights and highlighting the need for action. The authors of the publication also provide practical recommendations to guide decision-makers and stakeholders.

Read the full publication at this link.