The impact of social isolation and loneliness on your mental health

Mental Health Training

The Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE) says "social isolation and loneliness have a detrimental effect on your health and well-being".

Some consider loneliness a primary emotion, on a par with fear and anger. For millions of years, survival relied on being part of a gathering; being isolated from your community was dangerous.

But now, a fear of loneliness can keep us in a toxic relationship, unfulfilling jobs, or destructive marriages.

Loneliness comes in many guises. It can be temporary with situational loneliness where you find yourself without any camaraderie or support. Or you can be going through a life crisis that results in more extended social isolation.

A relationship breakdown, losing your job, being seriously ill, and needing to self-isolate with the virus can make you feel completely cut off from love and support.

The COVID-19 pandemic forced us to confront loneliness in a new way. Social distancing restrictions and lockdowns meant many more people now faced social isolation and loneliness.

Studies by University College London reported in the Nursing Times concluded that "efforts to reduce social isolation of older people are likely to have positive outcomes for their well-being, and this research suggests that they could also reduce mortality".

However, everyone feels lonely from time to time. It’s a normal part of the human experience and is something you can’t avoid in life.

But some people are more vulnerable to slipping from loneliness into depression.

Or there can be hard times in your life when feeling lonely is only one step away from isolation and depression.

Types of Loneliness

If you wish to live a happier life, you may have to learn how to deal with loneliness when it happens. Psychologists have identified seven different types of loneliness.

1. ‘New Kid’ Loneliness

2. Not Fitting in Loneliness

3. Lack of Romance Loneliness

4. Missing a Pet Loneliness

5. Too Busy for Me Loneliness

6. Toxic Fringes Loneliness

7. Lack of Company Loneliness