I feel lonely and isolated

Many of us can feel lonely at times and for many different reasons. You don't have to be on your own to feel lonely and there can be other factors that are impacting your feelings of loneliness which are personal and unique to you. Feelings of loneliness and isolation can seem impossible to overcome, but recognising you're experiencing them is an important first step.

A lack of social opportunity, a change in circumstance or living with a mental health condition such as anxiety or depression can all lead to feelings of loneliness and isolation.

Loneliness and isolation can affect people of any age but is especially common in older people.

What to do

Tackling loneliness and isolation involves making a change. Creating new connections, doing new activities or entering new social situations can help you break out of negative patterns of thought.

There are specific resources for older people to help you tackle loneliness, including ways to help you make friends and get out of the house. 

If loneliness is affecting your mental health and your daily life then TALKWORKS, Devon's NHS Talking Therapies Service can help. You can self-refer, without seeing your GP.

If you are in crisis call  111  and select the mental health option or visit urgent help for more information.