Safeguarding: loneliness

Spotting signs of loneliness

There are signs to look out for when yourself or someone you know is experiencing loneliness, such as the following:

• Lacking energy or feeling tired
• Feeling exhausted all the time
• Experiencing 'brain fog', finding it hard to think clearly
• Finding it hard to concentrate
• Feeling restless and agitated
• Feeling tearful, wanting to cry all the time
• Not wanting to talk to or be with people
• Not wanting to do things you usually enjoy
• Using alcohol or drugs to cope with feelings
• Finding it hard to cope with everyday things and tasks
• Experiencing 'burn out'

What can you do if you are feeling lonely?

Here are some top tips to help with loneliness:

Speak to family and friends: Spending time with your family and friends can help you feel better. You could have a meal with friends or chat with your family on the phone.

Try to keep busy: Sometimes keeping busy with a hobby you like can give you positive feelings. You could try gardening, going to the gym or even jigsaws, puzzles or knitting.

Enjoy being outdoors: Getting moving and going outside can help with feeling lonely. You could try going for a walk in your local park to get some fresh air.

Chat to people who like the things you do: Talking to others and making friends with people who have similar interests can help. You could meet other people by joining a local group or volunteering in your community.

Who can you speak to?

If you are feeling lonely and need to speak to someone, you can reach out to the following:

Samaritans: call free on 116 123 or chat online Contact Us | Samaritans

Mind: call 0300 123 3393 or chat online Helplines | Mind - Mind

Local minds: mental health services offered in your local area, find yours here Local Minds | Mind - Mind

Befriender: if you need someone to keep you company, find out more here Befriending Networks — Befriending Networks