Would you admit to being lonely?

Approximately, 3.83 million individuals in the UK experience chronic loneliness, defined as feeling lonely 'often or always’.

And most poignantly, younger adults, particularly those aged 16 to 24, report higher levels of loneliness compared to older age groups.

But, the biggest problem is that loneliness is often perceived as a personal failing or a sign of social inadequacy, making people hesitant to admit it.

So, it’s a problem that people suffer in silence, which ultimately compounds the problem.

In an ever-increasingly digital world, it’s understandable that people feel isolated and disconnected.

I don’t think that’s a surprise to any of us who grew up in generations before the introduction of mobile phones.

It’s somewhat ironic that the devices that were initially designed to connect us can leave us feeling so alone.

So…what can we do?

Be kind.

Talk to people.

Engage with people.

Maybe it’s someone you see on the train regularly.

Or a colleague at work that you don’t normally talk to.

Or a neighbour you haven’t talked to for a while.

Even just a simple smile or a ‘hello’ can make a huge difference.


“Love makes lovely out of lonely.” - Gerard Kenny