Good quality friendships = good mental health.

 In an international survey of 204907 adults across 22 countries taken from a project The Global Flourishing Study, has just published their results in the Journal of Mental Health. They make rather sobering reading. We in the Uk don’t come out particularly well on the - friendship index, but not as badly as Japan - that was bottom of the 22 countries. Participants in the survey were asked to rank their friendships on a scale of zero to ten. What was discovered was the strong correlation between those people who had - good or excellent relationships did much better regarding their mental health. It was as if these relationships help - protected the individual from the vicissitudes of life. They acted as a sort of - buffer. In addition if the relationship were - of long standing the individual was able to exchange their individual experiences with each other. This was particularly salient as we get older - when parents start dying, or dealing with divorce or illness. These shared collective memories are a necessary and important part of growing older. Those unlucky to not have positive friendships - are at a serious disadvantage psychologically and physically. So look after your friendships as they will help you - live longer and healthier. 

The Clacton by-election.

 On Thursday, the good people of Clacton, went to the polling booths. Some 44,4% decided to vote and 63% decided to vote Reform Party and for Nigel Farage. Count Binface got 26.9% of the votes cast. So we will see Mr Farage, back in the House of Commons in September. In my opinion all the other political parties should - have completed in the race as this was the democratic process in action. 

Endemic loneliness in young men between the ages of 18-29.

In The Times today Sanchez Manning, the Social Affairs Correspondent - has read a very disturbing report by the Resolution Foundation. In it he discovered some very worrying statistics - about young people and especially young men. The lead author Parth Pandya said “screen time is the usual suspect in conversations about the rise of loneliness among young people. But spending time in paid work by themselves was the biggest drive of rising hours spent alone and the legacy of Covid - is a major contributor”. They didn’t increasingly - go into the office to meet colleagues and form friendships - but work alone all day. Unless this is addressed seriously by government and social policy advisors, then the future for many is extremely worrying”. Astonishingly “young people now are more likely to be alone and lonely, than older people”. However, young women do not escape completely, but they are generally not as lonely as their male counterparts. 

Park Run.

 In England, way back in 2 October 2004 Paul Sinton-Hewitt, decided to organise a fun run in his locality and this became an international event and came to life, across my countries. He was born on 12 August 1960 - so he is now 66. In our atomised society, where there is so limited interaction with other humans, because of our collective obsession with the iPhone, computer etc. We are therefore alienated from each other and perceive - the other as a potential threat. So doing something collectively - cuts across this basic assumption. So amazing that it happens in 23 countries, more than 11 million people regularly take part in a run, some 45,000 volunteers are involved in a typical week. Such a simple idea, should produce such amazing benefits and results. We need  more collective events that draw us together and doesn’t separate us. 

PC Andrew Harper.

 The terrible tragic death of PC Andrew Harper, while on duty has been a causa celebre and has put extreme pressure on the Prime Minister. There must be some rational resolution to this inexcusable crime and the public demand it. They will not give up until there is a proper resolution to the issue. The early release scheme is the bete noire and has caused the current crisis in the government.The problem is that successive governments - have over the last 20 years not built sufficient capacity in the prisons estate. Moreover we imprison a larger number of prisoners - than our European counterparts, thereby increasing the problem. There is no easy solution, but the public wants a resolution. 

Burnham bounce.

 According to the latest opinion polls there has been a small Burnham bounce. Labour on 26 per cent, Reform on 22 per cent, Conservatives on 21 per cent, Greens on 12 per cent and the Lib Dem’s on 11 per cent. The issues that preoccupied the general public are:cost of living, living standards, the overall state of the economy, NHS, illegal migration and in particular the boats crossing the channel, education. Let’s hope the prime minister can address these issues with alacrity and make all our lives better. 

More heat.

 As if we didn’t know it - the Met Office has issued an extreme heat warning as temperatures could hit a staggering 38c in Southern England, this week. At the moment I am in the Royal Academy, basement enjoying air conditioning. However, earlier today while travelling by bus from London Victoria, station the crowded bus was very uncomfortable for many of the passengers. We have in recent weeks become somewhat blasé - about this exceptional situation. However the many fires across Europe and parts of North America, should be a wake up call - but I doubt politicians and policy makers will rise to the challenge. We are - literally fiddling while Rome burns.