Loneliness Awareness Week | Why we need to talk about loneliness
Let’s Talk Loneliness
Loneliness is an issue that can affect us all at some point in our lives. If we don’t feel connected with those around us, we can start to feel lonely which can have serious impacts on our mental health and wellbeing over a long period of time.
While loneliness isn’t a mental health problem, it can have a negative impact on your mental health and likewise, having a mental health problem can increase your chance of feeling lonely.
Loneliness is a ‘need’ for social contact and it may be felt more over a long period of time. It is also possible to feel lonely, even when surrounded by people. Feelings of loneliness are unique to each of us and are linked to the gap between our desired levels of social contact and the actual level of social contact that we feel we have.
Feelings of loneliness are personal, so everyone’s experience will be different. Hosted by Marmalade Trust, this year’s Loneliness Awareness Week (LAW) campaign takes place from 15th-19th June 2020.
Marmalade Trust is a charity that raises awareness of loneliness and helps people to make new connections. LAW started 4 years ago to raise awareness of feeling lonely and encourage people to speak about it openly. It’s a powerful message that resonates with many and each year LAW receives more and more attention.
Tackling loneliness and connecting with others
The Marmalade Trust who co-ordinates LAW, has created a list of actions you can safely take part in during the ongoing coronavirus situation:
Send a letter or postcard to someone isolating by themselves
Organise a weekly video call with friends or family
Arrange a video call with someone you haven’t seen in a while
Talk with friends or family about their experiences of feeling lonely during lockdown
Start or join a virtual book or film club
For more information from Mind on loneliness and tips on managing loneliness follow the link:
https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/tips-for-everyday-living/loneliness/aboutloneliness/
Info found at: https://wellbeinginfo.org/loneliness-awareness-week-2020/
