Loneliness is the distressing feeling that your need for social connection isn't being met (Mind)
24% of adults feel lonely often, always, or some of the time (Mind, Big Mental Health Report 2025)
Even though loneliness is part of life, feeling chronically lonely can be detrimental to mental health and knowing when to reach out for support is important
What causes loneliness?
Loneliness has many different causes, which vary from person to person. There are key life points which will increase the likelihood of feeling lonely. Some examples are:
- Moving away from home
- Starting university or a new job
- Becoming a new parent
- A relationship break-up
- Retirement
You can read more about this here: Loneliness - Every Mind Matters - NHS
How does loneliness affect you?
Research shows that we can start to fall into a cycle of loneliness: the longer we feel lonely the more we start to isolate ourselves. We can start to feel like there is something wrong with us, or that the world is an unfriendly and scary place
Chronic or long-term loneliness can affect our mental and physical health. It can lead to feelings of anxiety and/or depression. Loneliness has been linked to early death and an increased risk of heart disease, stroke, depression, cognitive decline and poor sleep. People who feel lonely are more than twice as likely to develop Alzheimer’s (and other forms of dementia) than those who do not feel lonely
Although it might not seem like it from the outside, loneliness can be an extremely isolating experience. Our resources are a step towards helping you protect yourselves and the people around you by learning about the signs of loneliness and how to combat it
Resource Links for Young People:
Loneliness | The Children's Society
Loneliness and isolation | Childline
Support for young people | Barnardo's
How to deal with feeling homesick or lonely at university
Resource Links for Adults:
Age UK | Let's change how we age
Loneliness - Every Mind Matters - NHS
The Silver Line Helpline Over 55’s
Re-engage: the charity reducing loneliness in later life Over 75’s
Resource Links for Parents and caregivers:
What to do if your child feels lonely - BBC Bitesize
Helping a child with loneliness | NSPCC