How Loneliness Impacts Mental Health

Loneliness isn’t just about being physically alone — it’s about feeling disconnected, unseen, or unsupported. You can be surrounded by people and still feel profoundly lonely. At times, loneliness can feel like a quiet ache, and at others, it can become overwhelming and all-consuming.

Loneliness affects everyone differently, but over time it can take a real toll on mental health, contributing to:

  • Depression and low mood

  • Anxiety and social withdrawal

  • Sleep problems and fatigue

  • Reduced self-esteem and confidence

  • Thoughts of hopelessness or suicide

The experience of loneliness can also create a cycle — feeling lonely can make it harder to reach out or engage with others, which in turn deepens feelings of isolation.

As described by Loneliness Awareness Week:

“Loneliness is a normal human emotion – we’re hardwired to need social connection. But when loneliness is chronic, it can affect our mental and physical health and our ability to feel we belong.”

It’s important to remember:
Loneliness is a feeling, not a personal failing. Support is available, and connections can be rebuilt.

Resources to Help You Understand and Manage Loneliness

The Toolkit | Loneliness Awareness Week

The Loneliness Awareness Week Toolkit offers practical, gentle resources for individuals, organisations, and communities to help understand and address loneliness. Whether you’re feeling lonely yourself, or supporting someone who is, this toolkit offers:

Understanding Loneliness | Loneliness Awareness Week

This resource helps to explore what loneliness really is, why it happens, and how it affects us. It highlights that:

  • Loneliness can happen at any age and stage of life

  • Certain life events (bereavement, moving home, relationship breakdown, or health issues) can trigger loneliness

  • Feeling lonely is common, but there are ways to manage it and reconnect

  • Learn more: Understanding Loneliness | Loneliness Awareness Week

Guide to Loneliness | Loneliness Awareness Week

This compassionate guide offers simple, actionable steps to help break the cycle of loneliness. It includes:

  • Practical tips for managing loneliness day-to-day

  • Encouragement to take small, gentle steps towards connection

  • Advice on looking after your mental wellbeing while feeling lonely

  • Access the Guide: Guide to Loneliness | Loneliness Awareness Week

Organisations That Can Help

Mind

Mind offers advice and support for anyone struggling with loneliness and its impact on mental health.

Samaritans

If loneliness is making you feel overwhelmed or suicidal, Samaritans offer 24/7 emotional support.

The Silver Line (for older people)

Free confidential helpline providing friendship and advice for people aged 55 and over.

British Red Cross – Tackling Loneliness

Support services and local projects to help people reconnect with their communities.