Mental Health Awareness Week 2022 is this week.
This year we are exploring loneliness, something that most people will have experienced. We all feel lonely from time to time. Feelings of loneliness are personal, so everyone’s experience of loneliness will be different. But loneliness is not always the same as being alone.
Is loneliness a mental health problem?
Feeling lonely isn’t in itself a mental health problem, but the two are strongly linked. Having a mental health problem can increase your chance of feeling lonely. Feeling lonely can also have a negative impact on your mental health, especially if these feelings have lasted a long time. Some research suggests that loneliness is associated with an increased risk of certain mental health problems, including depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, sleep problems and increased stress.
Northern Ireland Safety Group together with inspire workplaces have published a joint article in their Promoting Positive Mental Wellbeing series on six ways to combat lonliness.
- Make the most of your free time
- Connect in real life
- Foster good relationships
- Focus on the little things
- Be nice to yourself
- Seek support
The past two years have been very difficult for everyone. If you are worried about anything our advice would always be speak to someone. Whether that be your manager, a close friend or a medical professional seeking help is key to tackling mental health.
https://www.nisg.org.uk/media/uploads/World_Mental_Health_Day_Connect_Six.pdf
