Mental Health Tip

Loneliness

Is a common feeling among Canadians that occurs when our close relationships aren't meeting our social needs. People experience loneliness when they feel like they don't fit in, aren't receiving support from those around them, lose important relationships, or when they are alone. When people experience loneliness, they can get caught up in a cycle of loneliness thinking. This cycle is when the feelings of loneliness leads to a belief that one doesn't fit in. Believing that you don't fit in makes it even harder to reach out and build those important relationships, thereby strengthening the belief you don't fit in. 

Social support is an incredibly important aspect of mental well-being. Feeling lonely is a good indicator that you may require additional or different social support. 

Here are some things you can try to address feelings of loneliness:

• Try to understand why you are feeling lonely, for example: are you isolated from others or are you experiencing loneliness when you are with others? Understanding the cause of your loneliness will allow you to develop a practical plan to address it. 
• Challenge the belief that you do not fit in, if that is something you are feeling.
• Try not to compare yourself to others--especially other people's online personas, which are often misleading. 
• Actively try to increase time spent with others, while acknowledging that building relationships takes time.
• If you are transitioning (for example: moving to a new city), allow yourself time to build new relationships.

To learn more about loneliness, please click here.  

Source: Canadian Mental Health Association. (2018). Coping with Loneliness. URL: https://cmha.ca/brochure/coping-with-loneliness/