Loneliness is when we feel we do not have the meaningful relationships we want around us.

It is something we can all experience from time-to-time, throughout our lives, and will be different for everyone. 

Although feeling lonely is often connected with being alone, they do not mean the same thing, or always happen together. You can feel alone when spending time with others, feeling that they don’t understand you or that you don’t fit in.

Loneliness and Mental Health

When we feel lonely most or all of the time it can have a serious impact on our wellbeing and our ability to function in daily life. We may experience low-mood and low self-esteem.

Sometimes if we are already experiencing poor mental health and do not feel understood, this can lead to feeling lonely.

Find out more about loneliness here:

Young Minds: A Guide to Loneliness

Childline: Feeling Lonely

What’s Up with Everyone?: Loneliness & Isolation

On the surface loneliness may seem like a simple concept, but in reality, the root causes can often be complex and effect our mental wellbeing.

There are a number of ways that we can learn more about understanding loneliness and how we can challenge and combat it:

Read

Listen

Watch

Over the next few days we will look more closely at how we can make meaningful connections, with ourselves, with others and with the world around us, to reduce feelings of loneliness.

It is important that, when we are no longer taking part in and enjoying our everyday activities, we talk to someone.

If you are worried about yourself or a friend, it is important to talk to a trusted adult. This could be an adult at school, at home, or another trusted adult.

studentwelfare@kendrick.reading.sch.uk 

Explore how you feel

Sometimes, we may find it difficult to understand how we are feeling and why. This is ok.

To connect with our feelings, we could try:

• Writing down or drawing what we are feeling
• Looking at information on how to spot different feelings
• Listening to music

Be kind to ourselves

It is important to show kindness to ourselves, especially when we are not feeling our best.

• Have a favourite treat
• Dance to a favourite song
• Play a game with friends
• Go for a walk outside
• Practice Mindful Breathing

Talk to someone

There are many support services that we can reach out to if we are feeling lonely as well as our own support networks, including family, friends and staff at school.

Try this activity to remind you of these connections and support that you have around you.

Other people who will listen

The Mix

Whether you want a quick chat or more focused help, the trained team at The Mix will be there to help.

Text THEMIX to 85258

or use one of their other helpline platforms.

Shout

If you are struggling to cope and need to talk, trained Shout Volunteers are here for you, day or night.

Shout 85258 is a free, confidential, anonymous text support service.

Samaritans

Whatever you're going through, you can call Samaritans at any time, from any phone for free. They will listen. They won't judge or tell you what to do.

Call free on 116 123.