4,010 metres against loneliness
Ricardo Gomez Angel, Unsplash
On 4 April at 13:34, mountaineer Liam Labrosse reached the summit of Lagginhorn in Switzerland. Although the estimated ascent time was four hours, the journey to the peak took 7.5 hours due to harsh conditions and the technical difficulty of the route. Labrosse turned this expedition into a charitable initiative under the slogan ‘Alone by choice — for those who aren’t’.
The aim of the climb is to raise awareness of the work of the organisation SOS Détresse, which provides emotional and psychological support to people facing isolation or a life crisis. Liam Labrosse emphasised the symbolism of his act: whilst a mountaineer chooses solitude in the mountains voluntarily, thousands of people suffer from enforced loneliness, unable to share their experiences with those around them.
The organisation offers confidential support to anyone going through a difficult time, whether it be an acute psychological crisis or a need to get their thoughts in order. The service operates on the basis of several principles:
Availability
Anonymity
The absence of a hierarchy of problems
As well as raising awareness of the issue, Labrosse has launched a fundraising campaign for SOS Détresse. Further details about the service and how to get in touch can be found on the project’s official website, www.454545.lu.
Representatives of the organisation note that such initiatives are vital for destigmatising the topic of mental health within society. At a time when feelings of loneliness can be just as gruelling as the physical ascent of a four-thousand-metre peak, having a ‘neutral listener’ becomes a crucial resource for saving lives and preventing the severe consequences of social isolation.
