Latest news with #LonelinessAwarenessWeek
7NEWS
7 days ago
- Health
- 7NEWS
Deep dive into loneliness epidemic shows the deadly experience is caused by more than just social isolation
A common but stigmatised experience is having a devastating impact on Australians' bodies. Loneliness is different to being alone — it has to do with our ability to connect — and two in five young Australians are struggling with it daily, according to a new report lifting the lid on loneliness. 'It's experienced in the brain as a physiological stressor, and that impacts our body and our mind,' study author, CEO and scientific chair of Ending Loneliness Together associate professor Michelle Lim told 'It therefore has massive health implications, if we do not actually address loneliness.' The Ending Loneliness Together report published this week for Loneliness Awareness Week, found that one in seven young people have felt 'persistently lonely' over a span of at least two years. Chronic disease, such as heart disease and stroke, diabetes, and dementia have all been linked to loneliness and social isolation, which also negatively impacts behaviour, sleep and life expectancy, according to the Medical Journal of Australia. Loneliness is also closely linked with depression and suicide, and the World Health Organisation estimates loneliness led to 871,000 deaths globally each year from 2014–2019. For Taylor Bradley, the loneliness spurred on by the death of his mother almost took him to that point of no return. 'Even when I was out with friends, it was hard for me to feel that connection,' the 33-year-old from Bondi told A closer look at Bradley's experience revealed to him that his loneliness was stemming from within — he was struggling to accept who he truly was, and was heavily 'masking' as a result. It meant that the connections he was making 'didn't feel real', he said. Lim said that friends, family and community are not enough to bypass loneliness as our relationships need to offer genuine connection. 'All of us have very different and diverse social needs, and live in environments where not everything that we like is offered within our community,' Lim said. Stigma and societal norms For Bradley, getting better acquainted with himself was a major step in his journey out of loneliness — he took up yoga and meditation to disconnect from racing thoughts, and from there was able to address the 'internal wounds' affecting his ability to connect. He later trained as a yoga teacher and co-founded the Connection Hub, a group for men to come together in a safe space that offers not just a refuge from social isolation, but an opportunity to show up authentically and explore their emotional blocks and needs. Half of the Australians surveyed for the loneliness report said they actively conceal their loneliness, sometimes even from themselves. 'They are so ashamed of loneliness' and believe the experience makes them 'a failure' or 'a loser', Lim said. Bradley said that 'the fear of being judged' is also behind much of the loneliness experienced by the men in his wellness group. Big data shows that while men and women typically experience similar levels of loneliness, they have different ways of coping, Lim said. 'Especially when you account for masculinity norms that are rife in our community, it's just less acceptable for men to be vulnerable,' she said. 'We're treating loneliness as a personal matter, when it's a systemic issue as well.' The idea that loneliness is permanent personality trait comes from outdates research from the 80s and 90s, she said. Isolated in the grind The report into loneliness cites the cost of living, and the increasing time demands of necessary employment, as real barriers to meaningful connection. 'All of these things add up, and it changes the way we interact with people,' Lim said. Not having enough time to meet like-minded people, or do the inner work necessary to understanding their authentic social needs, are common issues faced by the Connection Hub members, Bradley said. 'They're so busy at work, trying to get the next promotion at work, or they're really into their training, everyone's got their things ... it's almost like their inner world takes a step back, and there's no time to work on themselves or even process what might be going on for them,' he said. 'I'll do breathwork with the guys to help them get out of their mind and into their bodies, and that's when they often start to feel a little bit more space around them, and a little bit more comfortable,' he said. Now that we exist in the digital age, Lim said it is also important that we don't lose our 'social hygiene'. 'It's needed to build intimate relationships,' she said. 'You do need to respond when someone reaches out to you. If you don't, and you delay it for a certain time, it actually pulls people apart. Reciprocity if very important for social hygiene. It's easily to not have these principles with tech.' Calls for a national strategy Loneliness is a problem all over the world, with one in seven people feeling lonely globally — but the Australian national average is much higher than that, and it is prompting calls for a targeted national strategy. 'It needs to be a cross-sector approach,' Lim said. 'This is not just a health issue, or a social issues, or an economic issue — it's everything. 'What we know is that many societal problems are actually cross-sector issues, but what we're not very good at is working across sectors. 'So it also needs to be very much underpinned by the evidence, because this is an issue rife with misconceptions.' She urged leaders not to trivialise loneliness, noting that major problems such as mental health and poverty are usually always either preceded by, or a consequence of, loneliness. 'It is very much both a root cause, and a consequence, problem,' she said. 'The community is very much ready to act ... but, we really need to all get co-ordinated.' If you need help in a crisis, call Lifeline on 13 11 14.
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
6 surprising signs you're lonely according to experts
Loneliness is a deeply personal experience that can affect anyone, often in ways we don't immediately recognise. While it's easy to associate it with being physically alone, the reality is far more nuanced. Loneliness can be emotional, social, or even existential, manifesting through feelings of disconnection, emptiness, or being misunderstood, even when surrounded by others. As Loneliness Awareness Week (9–15 June) reminds us, this feeling is not a personal failure or weakness; it's a natural part of life that most people experience at some point. According to the Campaign to End Loneliness, in 2022, nearly half (49.63%) of adults in the UK – approximately 26 million people – reported feeling lonely at least occasionally, with some saying they felt lonely often or always. But loneliness doesn't always show up in obvious ways. Yahoo UK spoke to two experts to unpack the lesser-known signs and offer advice on what you can do if you're struggling. Relationship expert and British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy-accredited counsellor, Georgina Sturmer tells Yahoo UK: "When we feel lonely, it can be tempting to fill our diary with as much as possible or surround ourselves with people all the time. But the problem is that when we feel lonely, what we really crave is not the company of lots of others but a real sense of connection." Sturmer says that it is possible to feel lonely in a crowded room, to which Ruth Lowe, the head of loneliness services at the charity Age UK, agrees. She adds that the key to tackling this feeling is forming meaningful relationships. "If you're out with lots of people, but you don't actually feel connected to them or like they care about you, or you don't have any meaningful connection there, then you can feel even lonelier," she explains. Lowe says that loneliness can also result in people declining social invitations. "Somebody declining invites and not engaging in things they used to might think, 'Maybe I'm declining these things because I don't want to go anymore.' But it could be that you are feeling lonely and you are struggling with your confidence," she continues. "Loneliness can bring up a lot of negative thoughts and feelings. People might actually start to feel nervous about going to things and start thinking, 'Does anybody actually want me there?' Because it impacts your self-worth." Lowe says that loneliness can result in you feeling angrier or more emotional than usual. "You might find that things are continuing to go round in your head, and maybe you're overthinking things. You might experience moods that make you behave or act in ways that you don't usually," she explains. "Loneliness isn't a mental health condition, but it is closely linked to our mental health and our mental wellbeing." Loneliness also might inhibit you from taking time off work, or it might drive you to say 'yes' to extra projects, even if you're already feeling stressed. "Work might be full of pressure and deadlines, but it often offers us a certain level of structure and an opportunity to escape from other worries," Sturmer explains. The counsellor says you may also experience "free time anxiety," explaining that in a society that prizes friendship, spending time alone can make you feel like a failure. 2.1 million older people (15%) say they take less care of themselves when they're lonely, according to research by Age UK. "Loneliness can make it feel like there's no point in your existence, that you don't have a purpose. That might mean that you're struggling to make the effort and get the motivation to take care of yourself, to take care of the space that you live in," Lowe shares. This sign of loneliness is cross-generational, as Sturmer states that it can result in anyone feeling like they are "not good enough," leading to low self-esteem. "When we think about self-care – eating well, exercising, getting out in the fresh air – it's important to recognise that we are only able to look after ourselves if we feel that we deserve to do so," she says. "And then it becomes harder to prioritise ourselves and to do the things that we need to do in order to feel healthy and well." According to Sturmer, when you're in a state of loneliness, it's natural to crave connection. While people will often seek comfort online, she warns against this. "At a very surface level, it might feel that scrolling on social media delivers us a sense of connection, so we can find ourselves scrolling mindlessly through our newsfeed. However, that social media feed might actually amplify our loneliness," she says. Some people turn to drugs and alcohol to help them ignore their feelings of loneliness. Lowe explains: "Loneliness can make you feel like you've got very little self-worth, and people might try and find solace in using drugs or alcohol to try and make themselves feel better, to try and numb how they're feeling." Lowe recommends speaking to someone about your feelings, whether it be a family member, friend or a GP. "We know that talking about loneliness can be difficult. It can take a lot of courage, but the most powerful thing you can do for yourself is speak to someone and say the words out loud," she says. "1.1 million older people feel embarrassed to talk about their feelings of loneliness, and they might not feel as comfortable as younger people do to talk about their emotions and their mental health. Older people can contact Age UK for support, and there are other organisations out there for different groups of people." Lowe says it's important to take small steps to improve your situation. She advises against joining multiple groups and clubs at once, as that could be overwhelming. "Try and take small steps. It could just be something like, 'I'm going to try and reach out to a friend that I haven't spoken to for a little while. I'm going to send them a message or give them a call.' Don't put too much pressure on yourself to do too much too soon, especially if you are feeling quite down about yourself." Volunteering is a great way to expand your social circle and can help when you're experiencing any negative feelings. "Meet new people, give yourself a sense of purpose, and give yourself some routine. Having people relying on you and going to do something can really help," Lowe says. Read more about loneliness: Loneliness increases as we age, study suggests (PA Media, 3-min read) 5 ways loneliness can negatively affect your health (PA Media, 4-min read) The loneliness myth: what our shared stories of feeling alone reveal about why you can't 'fix' this very human experience (The Conversation, 15-min read)
Scotsman
12-06-2025
- General
- Scotsman
Almost half of over 50s are experiencing loneliness
Almost half of over 50s in Scotland experience loneliness some or all of the time, according to new research by Age Scotland. Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... The survey also highlights crippling loneliness among carers, with 41% saying they felt lonely some or all of the time. To mark Loneliness Awareness Week, the Scottish charity for older people has published On Every Street - a report which shows the extent of loneliness among older people, with figures revealing that there is at least one chronically lonely older person living on every street in the country. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Anne, 60, from Glasgow was a carer for her mum and mother-in-law over the last 10 years. Anne, 60, experienced acute loneliness as an unpaid carer to her Mum 'Being a dementia carer was very isolating. I gave up my career in financial services to be a full-time carer for my mum and moved into her house. 'It's been a very lonely journey no matter who is around you physically and my husband and I feel very broken emotionally and physically.' Alex, 71, from Motherwell, also features in the report. He said: 'I've lived on my own since I came back to Scotland. I don't have any family or friends around now. The reality is that so many people fall away from your life as you get older. And before you know it, you're on your own. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'I put the TV on in the corner, but it's really just to stop the silence.' Alex, 71, says his Friendship Call from Age Scotland helps him feel less lonely The charity believes that if Scotland is to meet the needs of an ageing population, more investment is needed to tackle loneliness levels otherwise the health of the nation could be severely impacted. Katherine Crawford, chief executive at Age Scotland, said: 'Scotland is in the grip of an epidemic of loneliness with chronic levels of loneliness not going anywhere. 'It is heartbreaking to think that the equivalent of one older person on every street in Scotland feels lonely all or most of the time. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'Our new report On Every Street lays bare the stories and people behind this shocking statistic and hears their deeply personal experiences of feeling locked out and lonely. 'Our helpline hears from people who have become lonely because they are trying to manage several contributing factors like, caring responsibilities, the rise in the cost of living or a disability. Loneliness can have a huge impact on someone's health, increasing the risk of heart disease, stroke and dementia, as well as contributing to significant mental health challenges. 'We are calling for the Scottish Government, local authorities, funders, politicians, and other partners to ramp up action and commit to renewed investment to support community groups with the resources and support they need to keep communities connected – without them the country faces a worse crisis of social isolation.'
Time of India
10-06-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Loneliness awareness week 2025: What is real connection and addressing the irony being 'connected' these days
It's a quiet ache. That's how it often starts. You can be sitting in a room full of people, scrolling through texts, hearing laughter down the hall—and still feel like you're not quite part of anything. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Like everyone else got a memo you missed. Like the world is happening over there, without you. This week(from 9 June to 15 June)—Loneliness Awareness Week 2025—is about that feeling. It's about naming it, sitting with it, and maybe even softening it a little. Hosted by the UK-based Marmalade Trust, and joined by partners across the globe, this campaign isn't just about stats or sympathy. It's a quiet, brave call to look inward—and reach outward. What the week looks like in 2025 Running from June 9 to 15, Loneliness Awareness Week is being celebrated through thousands of small but meaningful moments. There are no flashy parades or dramatic appeals. Instead, it's about everyday people creating room for connection in everyday places. In cities like Bristol and Manchester, cafes are introducing 'chatty tables'—spaces where strangers can sit together without needing an excuse. In workplaces, teams are holding shared lunches and inviting open conversations about mental health. Community centers are hosting bake sales, walking groups, art sessions, and even swing dancing nights—not for performance, but for presence. Loneliness is not that simple Most people hear 'loneliness' and picture someone elderly and isolated, maybe staring out a rainy window. That image has truth in it—but it's also wildly incomplete. Loneliness doesn't care how old you are, how full your calendar is, or how many people like your posts. It's not about being alone. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now It's about feeling unseen, disconnected, or misunderstood. And according to global surveys, millions of people across all ages are feeling exactly that—even if no one's saying it out loud. In fact, the loneliest demographic in many countries today? Young adults between 16 and 24. They're more digitally connected than any generation before them, yet more likely to report deep, persistent loneliness. The irony of always being 'connected' Social media promised us connection, and it delivered in some ways—but not in the ways that count. We share updates, celebrate wins, curate smiles. But vulnerability? Messiness? The kind of honesty that builds real belonging? That gets buried beneath filters and captions. It's not unusual now to see someone surrounded by 'likes' but feeling profoundly alone. Loneliness doesn't always look like silence. Sometimes, it looks like noise you can't feel part of. The hardest thing to admit Here's the thing about loneliness: most of us are too ashamed to talk about it. It sounds like failure. Like being unlovable. Like something we should have grown out of. But that's the lie. Loneliness isn't weakness—it's a signal. Just like hunger means we need food, loneliness means we need connection. Deep down, we all need to feel seen and held in some small way. Pretending otherwise only keeps us farther from each other. So what can you actually do? You don't need a grand plan. You don't need to become wildly extroverted or reinvent your life. But maybe, just maybe, you need to reach. Even a little. Start tiny. A smile at a stranger. A wave to your neighbor. A 'how are you really?' to a friend you've lost touch with. Change your spaces. Try working at a café instead of your couch. Say yes to a local event. Sit at one of the 'chatty tables' popping up across cities this week—yes, it feels awkward at first, but awkwardness is often where realness begins. Give someone else the gift of being seen. Loneliness shrinks when we show up for each other. Sometimes, the act of making someone else feel less alone makes us feel less alone too. And if it's really heavy? Say it out loud. To a friend. To a helpline. To a therapist. To yourself. Naming it loosens its grip. What this week is trying to do Across the UK and beyond, Loneliness Awareness Week is bringing people together in gentle, creative ways. There are shared lunches. Poetry readings. Office buildings are setting up 'connection corners.' There's even laughter yoga and book groups—and yes, a global map of meetups if you want to find something near you. But more than the events, this week is about this one truth: if you're feeling lonely, you are absolutely not the only one. There is nothing strange or broken about your need to belong. It's the most natural thing in the world. Because this matters—more than you think Loneliness can feel invisible, but its effects are anything but. It's linked to depression, anxiety, poor sleep, lower immunity, even heart disease. It makes us doubt ourselves. It drains joy. And yet, it's one of the most treatable struggles we face—not with medication, but with moments. Moments of connection. Real, clumsy, beautiful, human moments. So maybe this week, don't just scroll past the headlines. Reach out. Say the thing. Send the text. Start the conversation. Offer the seat. Sit with someone in their silence. Let someone sit with you in yours.
South Wales Guardian
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- South Wales Guardian
Cwmaman Community Centre hosts Loneliness Awareness event
The event, 'With our hands, we connect communities', took place at Cwmaman Community Centre, Glanamman, on June 6. It was organised by Cwmaman Town Council, Pobol, Community Fridays, and Connecting Carmarthenshire. The gathering focused on bringing people together via creativity, conversation, and shared experiences, highlighting the positive impact of community engagement on reducing loneliness and improving well-being. The day featured free refreshments and lunch, creative and well-being workshops, as well as information stalls providing support to all ages. Bilingual talks and discussions, including contributions from Adferiad Recovery, Arts Care-Gofal Celf, and Military Veterans Club Cymru, explored how support connections can reduce loneliness. (Image: Stuart Ladd) (Image: Stuart Ladd) (Image: Stuart Ladd) (Image: Stuart Ladd) (Image: Stuart Ladd) (Image: Stuart Ladd) (Image: Stuart Ladd) (Image: Stuart Ladd) (Image: Stuart Ladd) Cwmaman Mayor Gordon Jones started the event at 10am, with children from Ysgol Y Bedol performing songs. This was followed by the Goldies singers. A well-being walk also took place, offering participants views of the Amman Valley. The event marked the beginning of Loneliness Awareness Week, which runs from June 9 to 15. The initiative aims to draw attention to the importance of community connections in combating loneliness and fostering mental well-being.
