Mental Health Awareness Week ‘Loneliness’
‘’Loneliness can be something that passes, and we see many children who use our services move through these difficult periods. However, for some children, loneliness can lead to mental health issues and mean they struggle alone to cope with other challenges in their lives. In the most serious cases it can leave them more susceptible to grooming by sexual predators or criminal gangs’’.
https://www.childrenssociety.org.uk/
Why can people feel lonely even when they are surrounded by friends and family?
Life can sometimes feel overwhelming. Reaching out to others may feel like a challenge at times and knowing where to look for advice is sometimes difficult.
Loneliness can seem like a negative thing. Often, it’s something we don’t talk about because we might feel embarrassed or not recognise, we feel lonely. Anyone can feel lonely and probably everyone has at some point. It is very possible to be surrounded by supportive friends and family but still feel lonely. In fact, research shows that young people are at increased risk of feeling significantly lonely now. It’s easy to understand why:
“Loneliness feels like not being able to get along with others. missing out on things around you because you are different to them.”
“I felt lonely when my friend started acting like I was invisible.”
“Sometimes. it happens. when you’re in a house/room full of people and you feel completely different. that’s why I hate telling people I’m in care. because I want to feel normal and not feel that loneliness.”
However, it’s important to remember that everyone experiences loneliness slightly differently. What one person might feel could be totally different to someone else in the same situation. And that’s OK. It’s part of being individually you.
How The Branch Project can support you:
The Branch Project Worker can support children and young people cope with loneliness and build resilience. The Branch Project Worker will offer different activities to support well-being. They will also help the young person explore resources and learn new skills that will help them cope when faced with adversity including stress, anxiety, loneliness, and empower the young person to manage personal connections online and offline.
Resources links to help understand and manage loneliness:
https://www.redcross.org.uk/get-help/get-help-with-loneliness
https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/tips-for-everyday-living/loneliness/about-loneliness/