NEWS emerged this week that the Government is to launch a €3 million mental health fund. The Minister of State for Mental Health Jim Daly has secured the funding, separate from the HSE’s mental health budget, for community-based projects to help combat loneliness. This was one of the recommendations of the taskforce on loneliness, chaired by Senator Dr Keith Swanick and Sean Moynihan of the Alone charity.

Community group will be able to submit applications for grants of between €5,000 and €100,000 for local projects based on mental wellbeing, and alleviating loneliness.

ISOLATION AND LONELINESS

There are times in everyone’s life when we feel lonely or isolated. You may feel emotionally cut off from those around you, or feel alone.

Certain stressful events or worries can be a cause of loneliness. You may feel like you’re the only person going through something. It may seem like your life is different from the people around you. It’s normal to feel lonely if you’re:

  • having a hard time with bullying or intimidation at school, college or work.
  • dealing with bereavement.
  • finding it hard to talk to others because of shyness or social anxiety
  • living away from home.
  • seeing friends move away.

    • Unemployment is a really big cause of loneliness and isolation. It means you’re at home all day without the chance to make new friends and keep busy. You can also feel like you don’t have much news when you meet your friends. Or you may feel like you don’t want to see people at all.

    Having low self-esteem can make you feel lonely because you may feel you’re not as good as others. This is a normal feeling that everyone experiences from time to time.

    It’s not always easy to find a group of people you connect with.

    This can be especially true in rural or isolated communities where it might seem hard to find people who share your interests.

    After a relationship or friendship break-up, it can be difficult to adjust to life without that person. Spending time on your own can feel isolating.

    If there’s no clear reason why you feel lonely, it might be a sign something’s wrong. If you find it too difficult to talk to a loved one, contact your GP.

    COPING WITH LONELINESS

    There are lots of ways to deal with loneliness and isolation.

    The solution depends on what’s causing these feelings. For example, if you’ve moved out of home or to a different country, it’s natural you’ll feel lonely at first.

    GET BUSY

    Keeping yourself busy is a very effective way of dealing with loneliness. If you’re bored or can’t find a job, volunteer with an organisation you care about or an event you might be interested in.

    Feeling needed and useful is important sometimes.

    Know you’re not alone Feeling lonely doesn’t mean there’s something wrong with you. For example, leaving secondary school or college to do something new, can be a scary time for everyone. Being unemployed is also stressful.

    Life feels very different and the future is uncertain. Remember that everyone goes through lonely periods in life.

    Boost your self-esteem A lack of confidence can hold you back in social situations.

    Meeting new people can be stressful when you don’t feel good about yourself. Think of one thing about yourself that others admire, and build on that.

    Explore your interests Taking up a hobby you’ve always wanted to get into can help you fight loneliness and isolation. If you’re on your own in a new place, a hobby can be a great way of meeting new people and making new friends.

    If you’re feeling lonely for no obvious reason, taking up an evening class or sport can help take your mind off it.

    ENJOY YOUR OWN COMPANY

    This might feel strange at first if you’re used to being around other people. But, spending time alone can be liberating. The freedom to be alone with your thoughts can be a great way of winding down. Try and feel comfortable with just yourself for company. Think of people you want to be around. Generally, they are people who are very comfortable in themselves. That quality is attractive to others. Learning to be on your own and like your own company is a step towards this kind of confidence.

    TRY NOT TO WORRY

    Feelings of loneliness often come and go during life. Sometimes the best thing to do is accept your feelings. Remember, you’ll probably feel better after a while.

    If you’re lonely because you’re homesick, think about when you’ll be back with your friends and family. Try to enjoy the new experiences you’re having away from home.

    If you’re constantly lonely for no obvious reason, it could be a sign of depression. This is something you should talk about to family, friends or a counsellor.

    MIND YOURSELF

    Sometimes when you feel lonely or isolated, you are more vulnerable. Here are some tips on taking care of yourself.

  • Take what you see online with a pinch of salt. What people put on social media can make you feel worse if you’re feeling low. Remember, people publish the best of themselves online. Try not to get jealous looking at other people’s photos and posts.
  • Be wary of certain groups. When you’re lonely, the idea of belonging somewhere becomes more attractive. Cults and gangs often target lonely people, knowing they might be vulnerable. Be selective in relation to the groups or clubs you choose to join. Make sure the group you join is a positive influence and makes you feel good about yourself.
  • Don’t become too online dependent. Online communities can be a great social outlet, but don’t rely on them too much. Make sure you balance your social life and make the effort to talk to people in person.
  • Build trust slowly. When you’re lonely, you may place too much weight on new friendships and relationships. Build trust gradually, take it slow and accept your new friends as they are. Take your time with new relationships.