Loneliness is as toxic as '15 cigarettes a day.' The form of 'social prescribing' that prescribes connection instead of medicine for modern isolation that cannot be solved by platitudes.
Nice to meet you, I am Hiro, representative of 'Soyogi,' a consultation service for nursing care and support.
This may be sudden, but are you aware of how severely 'loneliness' can erode our minds and bodies?
There is shocking data from research by Professor Holt-Lunstad and colleagues at Brigham Young University: 'Social isolation (loneliness) has as negative an impact on health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day.'
The WHO (World Health Organization) also classifies loneliness as a serious health issue. Loneliness is no longer a matter of individual personality or effort, but a 'social disease' that affects life itself.
To combat this disease, an approach called 'Social Prescribing' has been institutionalized and is spreading in places like the UK.
It is a groundbreaking system where, for people isolated due to depression or social withdrawal, doctors do not just prescribe medicine, but also 'prescribe' things like 'local gardening clubs,' 'cooking classes,' or 'volunteer activities,' connecting them to welfare through human connection.
To alleviate loneliness, connecting with someone and having a place to belong or a 'role' is the most effective medicine of all.
Not just platitudes: The reality of the medical and welfare front lines
'I see, so I should just participate in the local community.'
You might think that. However, when I look at the front lines of nursing care and support that I deal with, I hit a massive wall.
The reality is that there are many people who 'cannot leave their homes in the first place' or 'cannot even go to a consultation counter.'
■ The 8050 problem and young carers
People who are forced to rely on their parents' pensions and are completely isolated, having cut off all contact with society.
■ Victims of financial abuse
People whose bankbooks and cards are managed by their abusers, and who cannot even move 'a few hundred yen for train fare' to seek help. Even when they try to ask for help, they live in constant fear that it will be discovered through their transaction history.
Existing welfare is premised on an 'application-based system' where one must 'go to a counter,' 'fill out documents,' and 'have a bank account.' However, people who are truly mentally and physically drained and cornered do not even have the energy to take that first step. They feel fear the moment they have to enter their real name or address, and end up withdrawing their SOS.
Cruel, logical arguments like 'Let's go outside' or 'Let's join a community' do not reach them. This is the massive blind spot of modern welfare.
'Metaverse x Web3' saves invisible isolation
How can we prescribe 'connection' to those in this invisible prison? The answer that 'Soyogi' has implemented is a digital shelter utilizing metaverse space and Web3 (JPYC payment).
① A 'safe zone' called an avatar
For those with severe social anxiety, Zoom where they have to show their face or chat that forces them to verbalize is too much of a mental burden. However, in the metaverse, using the anonymity of an avatar as a shield, non-verbal communication such as 'just sitting next to someone without showing your face' is possible. A space where you are allowed to 'just exist (Be)' without exchanging words opens up closed hearts.
② 'Web3 payment' that leaves no history and requires no bank account
Even without a bank account, by using Web3 technology and JPYC (a Japanese yen-pegged stablecoin), support can be delivered directly without being exploited by abusers.
Furthermore, we are currently working on ways to provide support to victims without leaving a history even on the blockchain. This is because if an abuser is familiar with technology, there is a risk that they could trace the fact that support benefits are being received from the publicly available blockchain records. Our goal is to prevent even that and perfectly protect the safety of the individuals involved.
Of course, this must be realized in a way that does not violate various financial laws. Therefore, we are currently coordinating with various experts to confirm whether this method is definitely legal or if it requires adjustments. (The day may come when I can share this mechanism with everyone once it is confirmed to be legal and safety is guaranteed.)
A gentle cycle of 'a place to belong' and 'a role'
We have created a system where those who connect with us in the metaverse space and gradually recover their mental well-being can eventually step up to become 'peer supporters' who listen to others.
Having a role where you can 'be of use to someone' and the experience of earning funds through your own efforts, even in small amounts, becomes a powerful driving force for social reintegration.
We are seriously implementing Web3 and the metaverse not as toys for speculation, but as a 'life infrastructure' for those in the most vulnerable positions in society.
If loneliness causes as much harm as 15 cigarettes a day, we will continue to prescribe 'connections' tailored to each individual in this digital sea. If there is someone around you suffering from 'invisible isolation,' please let them know about the existence of the 'Soyogi' digital shelter.
We are always waiting for you here.
[Three Support Channels] For those who wish to support our challenge, we have prepared three channels.
Donations to the LEAF Project (development of an attachment that allows a harness to function as a guide dog) and support for our activities in general (Giveth)
☆Cryptocurrency Support⇩
Support for our activities in general. For those who wish to support the activities we carry out daily to help the socially vulnerable, please support us with even a small amount via this link.
☆Credit Card and E-money Support⇩
☆Support via JPYC (stablecoin)⇩
Recipient wallet address 0xdF77A8D2Bf87c817F61d1786497B6446cde4c563