Loneliness Awareness Week presents a valuable opportunity to address the growing concern of loneliness. This year's theme, "Meeting Loneliness Together," emphasises reducing the stigma around this natural human emotion and encourages collective efforts to foster connections
Why is it important to reduce loneliness?
If loneliness is very severe or lasts a long time, it might increase the risk of some physical conditions such as dementia and mental health conditions such as stress, anxiety, low mood or depression.
Young people often experience stigma associated with loneliness, partly because most people associate loneliness only with older, isolated people. Research shows 16-24 year olds are at higher risk of feeling lonely compared to other age groups, but less likely to seek advice and support. Key findings with Ipsos MORI and YouGov show:
81% of young people say that they would worry about being embarrassed, mocked, judged or treated differently if they said they were lonely
Among students, nearly half admit they have hidden their feelings of loneliness for fear of being judged
62% of 16-24s are still the least likely group to feel comfortable helping family/friends who may be feeling lonely
16-24s are also among the least likely to take action to help themselves feel less lonely (47% v adult average 51%)
Feeling lonely is completely normal. Many of us can feel lonely while checking our social media, on our own or with others. It is nothing to be embarrassed or ashamed of. Sometimes admitting we feel lonely can be hard but it’s important to remember that many others experience similar feelings of loneliness too, and that this feeling can pass.
If you are feeling lonely, or know someone else who is, there are plenty of simple, affordable actions you can take, such as:
Going for a walk with someone
Inviting someone out for a coffee and a chat
Finding out about affordable events nearby
Going along to a gym class or playing in a sports team
Joining a society or local community group to meet like-minded people
Reaching out to those around you so you can both feel the benefits of in-person social connection
Find more support and advice on the Better Health - Every Mind Matters Loneliness web page to help yourself or others who might be feeling lonely, or search ‘Loneliness Every Mind Matters’ for more support and advice.