9 to 15 May is Mental Health Awareness Week, a time for breaking down the stigma which still surrounds mental health. This year, we’re going to talk about loneliness. We all feel lonely sometimes, and there are so many different ways we can feel lonely. But we don’t have to struggle by ourselves – let’s take on loneliness together.
What causes loneliness?
After the past two years, it’s no wonder we feel lonelier than ever. The Covid-19 pandemic forced us into social isolation, and even now lockdowns have lifted, many of us are still struggling. Life has changed in many ways: living costs are rising, social anxiety is more common after long lockdowns, and can you even see a doctor in person nowadays?
And the pandemic isn’t the only cause of loneliness. Moving somewhere new, going through a break-up, being bullied, having a disability or chronic illness, experiencing trauma – there are so many reasons why we might feel lonely.
Many of us even feel lonely when we’re surrounded by people… we hide our mental health struggles, we ‘just get on with it’, we stay strong for our loved ones, we put our own needs last.
Loneliness and mental health
Feeling lonely can really harm your mental health. It can be a vicious cycle – we feel lonely, which leads to us feeling down or anxious, which leads to us withdrawing from loved ones or losing the motivation to socialise, which leads to us feeling even worse.
Loneliness can still be a difficult subject to talk about. For most people, human connection is really important, and it can feel like a failure to be lonely.
Because loneliness often comes hand-in-hand with mental health issues, such as depression or anxiety, it can make it extra hard to open up about.
Let’s take on loneliness together
When no one talks about loneliness, we feel even more alone. So, For Mental Health Awareness Week 2022, we want to raise awareness of loneliness.
Between 9 and 15 May, we’re going to share stories on our website and social media to talk about some of the many different ways we feel lonely.
Although our stories are about loneliness, they’re all about hope and the courage to keep moving forwards. Stay tuned!
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Loneliness and mental health resources
Free courses to help with mental wellbeing in Bristol and North Somerset
Connect with others, build skills to help you manage your mental wellbeing, maybe even pick up a new hobby. We offer free workshops and courses to help with mental wellbeing in Bristol and North Somerset:
Bristol Wellbeing College
Free wellbeing workshops and courses, online and in community venues, open to anyone in Bristol aged 18+.
Find out more about Bristol Wellbeing College.
North Somerset Wellbeing Service
Free wellbeing workshops and courses for adults in North Somerset.
Find out more about North Somerset Wellbeing Service.
Men’s mental health support
It’s hard to admit when you’re not ok. Men are less likely to open up about their mental health and often just try to get on with things. But staying strong all the time can be lonely.
Stepladder Somerset
Stepladder works to support men in Somerset who may be struggling with their mental health or would just like to connect with other men.
Find out more about Stepladder.
Find activities for men in Somerset.
Find men’s mental health resources.
Other community and wellbeing services
Find out about our other community and wellbeing services in Bristol, North Somerset, South Gloucestershire and Somerset.