More Than Awareness: A Preventative Approach to Mental Health and Loneliness

Every May, Mental Health Awareness Week invites employers, policymakers and communities to reflect on the state of our collective wellbeing. In 2025, that reflection must go deeper than slogans. Because while awareness is important, awareness alone does not prevent burnout. It doesn’t reduce social isolation. It doesn’t support the millions of people managing silent, sustained stress – at work, at home, and in between. 

At Sacana, we believe in prevention through connection. Not in crisis. Not when it’s too late. But at the early stages – where meaningful, human interaction can buffer stress, reduce presenteeism, and help people stay emotionally well and socially supported. 

This isn’t about quick fixes. It’s about doing wellbeing differently – and doing it better. 

The Mental Health Cost of Disconnection 

Loneliness is no longer just a social issue. It is a workforce issue. It is a public health issue. And it’s a quiet force behind many of the pressures employers and service providers face every day. 

Research shows that loneliness increases the risk of anxiety and depression, worsens chronic stress, and raises the risk of early mortality by 26% (Holt-Lunstad et al., 2015). The Royal College of General Practitioners reports that up to 38% of all GP appointments in the UK are for non-medical concerns, often rooted in loneliness and social stress (RCGP, 2019). 

In the workplace, this disconnection translates into measurable costs. Mental ill health is the leading cause of lost workdays in the UK, with over 70 million workdays lost annually due to stress, anxiety and depression (Deloitte, 2022). And hidden beneath the surface is presenteeism – employees showing up, but unable to function at their best – a factor that costs UK employers even more than absenteeism in many sectors. 

This is not an isolated problem. It is systemic. And without preventative infrastructure, we remain locked in a cycle of reaction. 

Prevention Isn’t a Perk, it’s a Strategic Priority 

Corporate wellbeing has evolved, but many organisations are still investing in surface-level solutions. Meditation apps. Mindfulness libraries. Wellness webinars. These can have value, but they often miss the point, especially for those who are isolated, overwhelmed, or quietly struggling. Employees managing eldercare responsibilities. Remote workers with minimal social contact. Carers balancing jobs and families, often unsupported. 

What these groups need is not more content. They need contact. 

Sacana provides exactly that - proactive, structured human connection through real-time conversation. Not therapy. Not self-help. But trained, moderated dialogue that helps people feel seen, supported and safe. 

And it works. 

• For older adults, it delays loneliness-related decline and the early onset of care. 

• For employees, it reduces stress and boosts engagement. 

• For carers, it supports both the caregiver and the person they support, improving wellbeing for both. 

Human-Led, Evidence-Based 

Every Sacana session is delivered by a trained, safeguarded affiliate known as a Matron. These are not volunteers. They are professional conversationalists, selected for their empathy and rigour, trained in structured engagement and supported by a robust escalation pathway. 

The result? A model of support that is human-first, data-secure, and aligned with the Care Act, the Adult Support and Protection (Scotland) Act, and GDPR standards. 

From a commissioning perspective, it offers both qualitative and quantitative value, with clear outcomes in delayed care dependency, reduced prescription use, and improved workforce retention. 

Let’s Go Beyond Talk 

Mental Health Awareness Week challenges us to start the conversation. But we believe the real challenge is what happens after that. Do we follow up? Do we invest in scalable solutions? Do we make space for people to feel genuinely connected, not just once a year, but every day? 

That’s what Sacana was built to do. Not to replace clinical support, but to reduce the need for it. To keep people well, long before crisis hits. 

In 2025, as employers, councils and health boards face pressure to deliver more with less, preventative models like Sacana aren’t just desirable, they’re essential. 

Let’s move from awareness to action. 

Let’s make wellbeing work, for the people who need it most. 

Let's talk at enquiries@sacana.com