Dealing with loneliness

Loneliness is an unpleasant emotion.

What is an emotion?

Emotions are feelings a person has about things. Some emotions help a person feel good and other emotions can make a person feel sad or upset.

What is loneliness?

Loneliness is when a person feels alone - with no one they feel they can talk to or share time with. A person does not have to be on their own to experience loneliness, they may be surrounded by people and still feel lonely.

Feelings of loneliness can affect a person's mental and social health so it is important that if the person is feeling lonely that understand that they could:

• Form new connections or friendship groups by joining a club or getting involved with community work.

• Visit online support communities such as Elefriends where the person can open up to others online with similar experiences and emotions without fear of judgement.

• Ask their GP who could recommend appropriate groups in the local area that could help the person manage the mental health effects of loneliness.

QUESTIONS YOU COULD BE ASKED ON THIS

Explain one way self-reflection may support a young person experiencing loneliness. (2marks)

A young person could self-reflect to understand why they are feeling lonely, helping them discover the reasons and take action to improve the situation.

Discuss the ways a young person could deal with loneliness. (6marks)

One way a young person could deal with loneliness is by joining a club or sports team. This gives them the opportunity to meet new people who share similar interests, helping them to feel included and part of a group.

Another way is by speaking to someone they trust, such as a family member, teacher, or counsellor. Talking about how they feel can help reduce the emotional burden and allow them to receive support and advice.

Another way is by using technology to stay connected with friends and family. Video calls or messaging apps can help maintain social bonds, especially if they are physically isolated, reducing feelings of being alone.

You should also read:

Dealing with frustration

Dealing with sadness

How to positively manage change