Living Alone

It is often linked with things that could prevent you spending time with other people, such as:

• living or working alone

• retirement

• illness or disability

• bereavement (losing someone or something)

• financial difficulties

• abusive relationships

• moving to a new area, job, school or university

• social anxiety (social phobia)

Other significant life events such as buying a house, having a baby or planning a wedding could also lead to feelings of loneliness.

• Try talking about your feelings to a friend, family member, health professional or counsellor. You could also contact Samaritans, call: 116 123 or email: jo@samaritans.org if you need someone to talk to
  
  

• consider joining a group or class that focuses on something you enjoy; you could ask to go along and just watch first if you're feeling nervous
  
  

• consider visiting places where you can just be around other people – for example, a park, the cinema or a café
  
  

• consider peer support, where people use their experiences to help each other. Find out more about peer support on the Mind website
  
  

• try the NHS 6 ways to feel happier, which are simple lifestyle changes to help you feel more in control and able to cope
  
  

• find out NHS how to raise your self-esteem
  
  

• listen to NHS free mental wellbeing audio guides
  
  

• search and download NHS relaxation and mindfulness apps or online community apps from the NHS apps library

• do not try to do everything at once; set small targets that you can easily achieve

• do not focus on the things you cannot change – focus your time and energy into helping yourself feel better

• try not to compare yourself to others. On social media you usually only see things people want to share

• try not to tell yourself that you are alone – many people feel lonely at some point in their life and support is available

• try not to use alcohol, cigarettes, gambling or drugs to relieve loneliness; these can all contribute to poor mental health

When to contact your GP

• you're struggling to cope with stress, anxiety or a low mood

• you've had a low mood for more than 2 weeks

• things you're trying yourself are not helping

• you would prefer to get a referral from a GP

You need help urgently, but it's not an emergency:

111 can tell you the right place to get help if you need to see someone. Go to 111.nhs.uk or call: 111

Call 999 or go to A&E now if:

• you or someone you know needs immediate help

• you have seriously harmed yourself – for example, by taking a drug overdose
  
  

A mental health emergency should be taken as seriously as a medical emergency.

Find your nearest A&E

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