Australians are becoming ever more isolated and it is making us sad, sick, and at risk from self-harm. The Productivity Commission has pointed to a clear correlation between lack of social connection – that is, communal interactions between people – and poor mental health. And community resilience is being tested from increasing environmental disasters such as floods and fires, and societal challenges such as homelessness and increasing economic inequality. 

This Collection comprises research, policy, and practice reports, guides and tools for addressing social isolation and activating social connection at individual, community and society levels. It supports the Australian Research Council project, Activating social connection to address isolation in Australia (LP200301335) which aims to design an approach to activate social connection for people and communities.

Achieving social connection & community resilience: Joining the dots between policy, practice, research, and community is being held on 6 June 2023 in Melbourne and online.