Tackling loneliness: Can better mental health care make us happier and more productive?

Loneliness costs the UK up to £2.5 billion each year through lost productivity. At the Conservative Party Conference Fringe 2022, our panel of experts and policymakers discussed the economic case for better and more integrated mental health care, the effect of place and community on isolation and how combating loneliness could improve success at school and the workplace.

Panellists from left to right:

• James Evans, Shadow Minister for Health and Wellbeing and MS for Brecon and Radnorshire
• Professor Pamela Qualter, Professor of Education, The University of Manchester
• Dr Aveek Bhattacharya, Chief Economist, Social Market Foundation (Chair)
• Su Moore, CEO, The Jo Cox Foundation
• Matt Vickers, Officer for Tackling Loneliness and Connected Communities APPG and MP for Stockton South
• Zoe Abrams, Executive Director of Communications and Engagement, British Red Cross

This event was recorded on Monday 3 October 2022 and formed part of our party conferences fringe programme.