Loneliness Awareness Week 2022
The 13th to 17th of June this year is Loneliness Awareness Week.
It’s part of the Better Health: Every Mind Matters campaign, which aims to reduce the stigma around loneliness and encourage more people to talk openly about it.
The campaign also encourages people to take simple actions to help themselves or others feel less lonely.
Lift Someone out of Loneliness
We can all feel lonely sometimes, and it’s not always easy to know the cause or what to do.
The effects of the pandemic, coupled with the pressures of modern life, mean that many more people than we may realise are feeling lonely.
This video shows some simple things you can do to help yourself or others.
Simple steps make big differences
Here are some simple steps that you can take that can make a big difference to you or someone else who may be feeling lonely.
- Keep in touch with friends and family. Checking in with people close to you – whether it’s a call, a few messages or meeting up in person – helps you feel connected.
- Join a group with a shared interest. Whether online or offline, spending time with others doing something you all enjoy is a great way to make connections and meet new people.
- Do things you enjoy! Being outdoors, exercising or just going for a stroll and listening to a podcast or music all occupy your mind and boost your mood.
- Talk and share. Seeing a familiar face and talking about how we feel makes us feel less isolated.
- Reach out to someone else who might be lonely – stopping to chat with someone you see in passing or getting in touch with someone who maybe lives alone or works away can help them feel more connected.