LONELINESS

Loneliness is the feeling that arises when the connection someone has does not match the connection they want. It is not the same as being alone, and people can feel lonely in company.

The World Health Organization treats social connection as a public-health priority, noting that loneliness and social isolation are widespread and are associated with poorer physical and mental health.

Loneliness is common across all ages, including among younger people, and often follows change — moving, bereavement, illness, becoming a carer, or a relationship ending.

It is a normal human signal, not a personal failing, and it can pass as circumstances and connections change.

These are experiences some people may recognise. They can have many causes and are not a diagnosis.

• Feeling disconnected or unseen even around other people.
• Withdrawing from contact, or finding it harder to reach out than it used to be.
• Low mood, tiredness or difficulty sleeping alongside the sense of isolation.
• These signs can have many causes and often overlap with other difficulties.

• Small, regular contact tends to help more than large social effort — one message or one conversation is a reasonable place to start.
• Community activity, volunteering and local groups create repeated contact, which is what usually builds connection over time.
• A GP can also discuss loneliness, and in many areas can refer to social prescribing link workers.
• If loneliness comes with persistent low mood or thoughts of self-harm, professional support should be sought.

• Consistency matters more than intensity — a short regular check-in is often the most useful thing.
• Invite rather than wait to be asked, and make the invitation easy to accept.
• Avoid framing loneliness as something the person has failed at.
• Encourage professional support if you notice a wider change in mood or functioning.

• NHS — Loneliness in adults
• Samaritans — someone to talk to, 116 123
• NHS — Find a GP

• WHO — Social isolation and loneliness
• NHS — Loneliness in adults
• WHO — Mental health