{"version":"1.0","type":"rich","provider_name":"Acast","provider_url":"https://acast.com","height":250,"width":700,"html":"<iframe src=\"https://embed.acast.com/$/66f2a0897a3d63d20ff54509/686ceff17254eb1335492c42?\" frameBorder=\"0\" width=\"700\" height=\"250\"></iframe>","title":"Why are people in Ireland so lonely?","description":"<p>Ireland was named the loneliest country in Europe, but how did we get here?</p><p><br></p><p>This week on The Explainer, we’re looking at the scale and impact of loneliness in Irish society. From bereavement to social isolation, housing to remote work, <a href=\"www.thejournal.ie/your-stories-readers-on-loneliness-epidemic-6751386-Jul2025/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">our recent Your Stories piece highlighted just how many people are affected, and how deeply</a>.</p><p><br></p><p>Dr Joanna McHugh Power of Maynooth University and chair of the Loneliness Taskforce Research Network joins us to explain the causes and consequences of long-term loneliness, what the latest research tells us, and what practical steps individuals and policymakers can take.</p><p><br></p><p>Help is available: you can contact Samaritans on 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.ie or ALONE on 0818 222 024.</p>","author_name":"The Journal"}