How Does Being Lonely Impact Our Mental Health?

Loneliness is a growing problem in modern day life. Even before the lockdowns and social distancing that were brought on by the pandemic, around 5% of adults in the UK reported feeling lonely. And ONS data shows that 3.7 million people reported ‘chronic loneliness’ in 2021 following a year of COVID restrictions.

Of course, just because you may be alone doesn’t mean you are automatically lonely. In fact, some people prefer their own company. But for others, social isolation, not having anybody to talk to and a lack of emotional support can cause sadness, affect wellbeing, and even cause depression.

This post is all about loneliness and its impact on mental health. But what are the facts?

Loneliness is disproportionate

According to researchers from King's College London, people with mental health conditions are disproportionately affected by loneliness, with one in five patients diagnosed with a psychiatric disorder reporting feelings of loneliness.

According to the Campaign to end loneliness, the group most likely to report feeling lonely are over the age of 65 with around 10% saying they feel lonely ‘all or most of the time’. In particular, people who had been widowed or had long-term illness or disability reported feeling lonely.

Young people are also at risk. A recent survey by the Carers Trust found that 33% of young carers felt ‘usually or always’ lonely.

The problem of loneliness in young people has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. A study by the Mental Health Foundation and Swansea University, which MQ supported, found that over two thirds of British teenagers reported feeling lonely some or most of the time.

How does it affect mental health?

Loneliness can also cause anxiety, which can make the problem bigger. The more anxious we feel in social situations the more likely we are to avoid them, which only increases isolation and feelings of loneliness.

Loneliness and social isolation are risk factors for early mortality, as well as making people more prone to depression and cognitive decline.

The impact of loneliness on people with an existing mental health condition can be devastating. According to researcher Dr. Gayan Perera, who works with Mr. Mayur Parmar, and Prof. Robert Stewart at Kings College London:

“People with a pre-existing mental health condition who experience loneliness are more likely to be admitted to acute hospitals via emergency admission route, stay in acute hospitals longer, are more likely to have a crisis episode and more likely to have face to face contacts with mental health services than others who feel supported and have someone to talk to.”

We only know these figures because of research. But there are still questions that need answering.

How can we better support people whose mental health has been impacted by loneliness? What are the other impacts to health? Has the social isolation of the pandemic created long-term problems for young people and what solutions can we find for the 1 in 4 of us who are impacted by mental illness each year?

What is MQ doing about it?

As part of MQ’s Thriving in a Post pandemic world programme, we worked with the Academy of Medical Sciences to establish a set of research priorities for mental health experts following the outbreak of COVID.

This includes:

• Focusing on vulnerable populations, including the young, old, people who are financially insecure and who have pre-existing mental health conditions.
• Involving people with lived experience. MQ works hard to ensure experts by experienced are involved at all stages of research, from the design of studies to the dissemination of results.
• Focusing on solutions. Whilst it is vital we understand the full extent of loneliness in the population and how it impacts mental health, documenting our decline is not enough. We must come up with effective solutions.

What support is available?

The Campaign to end loneliness have some helpful advice and resources listed on their website.

The Mix are a UK based charity that offers free, confidential support for young people either online, via e-mail or over the phone.

Reengage is a charity providing events, activities and befriending services for older people nationwide.

Rain on me is a peer support group for young people who need someone to talk to about their daily struggles.

And finally, My Black Dog is a peer support network for anyone experiencing depression.