This week is National Mental Health Awareness Week, and an opportunity to focus on achieving good mental health. There are many factors that can support or diminish mental health, and the focus for the week is one of loneliness which can have a profound effect on the latter.
So what exactly is loneliness? Sadly it is something that is affecting more and more people in the UK for different reasons, it does not necessarily mean being alone as it’s possible to be in the company of others and still feel lonely. Quite simply, loneliness is the state of feeling alone, and being sad about it.
We can all feel lonely from time to time, and everyone’s experience of loneliness is different. It is not a measure of the number of friends someone has, the most social children and adults can experience feelings of loneliness and isolation. Social media can create a false sense of connection, resulting in people actually having less direct contact, missing out on face to face interaction and personal feedback and connection - as social beings we feel lonely when our need for social connection and relationships are not fulfilled.
The pandemic raised awareness of the impact of isolation on feelings of loneliness and how this powerful emotion can have a negative impact on the health and wellbeing of anyone of any age. It is important to recognise that even as we return to ‘normal’ life loneliness is, and will continue to be, present - it is an emotion that communicates a need and as such is something we should recognise, acknowledge and respond to, in ourselves and in others.
So how do we spot signs of loneliness and what can we do? There are things we can watch out for, people who are feeling lonely might have a change in their moods or behaviour, they may be quieter or more needy than usual, their sleep and eating patterns may be affected. There may be other reasons for these changes too, so the best way to find out is to ask - don’t be afraid to ask, it shows you care and offers an opportunity to talk, which can be medicine in itself!
If you would like to read more about this important topic, the links below may be of interest:
Supporting children and young people with loneliness
Mental Health UK
Mind
Mental Health Foundation
Mrs Sharp Head of Wellbeing