#TakeTheTime: Loneliness behind many of Scotland's health issues

A health expert is warning the epidemic of loneliness is a key factor in many of Scotland's big health issues.

We are continuing our #TakeTheTime campaign which aims to reduce social isolation.

Joanna MacDonald is the Director of Adult Social Care at NHS Highland and believes tackling loneliness would help address other problems like alcoholism and anorexia.

She said: "When we're lonely bad habits develop. We sometimes can't eat at all because we lose our appetite and cooking for one isn't as exciting as cooking for two.

"We can also drink too much as we try to forget about our loneliness for a while.

She also encouraged people to open up about loneliness: "Use the word lonely and don't be afraid of the answer or how it might make you feel.

"Picking up the phone and having someone take the effort to phone you will make a huge difference."

You can help by giving up a couple of hours of your time to support someone living in isolation.

Sign up as a befriender here.