Loneliness and Mental Health

Feeling lonely is something many people experience at different points in life. It can happen when we do not have the level of connection or support we need from the people around us.

You can feel lonely when you are on your own, but you can also feel lonely in a room full of people – at work, in education, within family life, or even in a relationship. Loneliness is not always about how many people you know. Often, it is about whether you feel understood, connected, and valued.

At Rotherham and Barnsley Mind, we know that loneliness can be hard to talk about. People experience it for many different reasons, including bereavement, major life changes, caring responsibilities, mental health difficulties, financial pressures, or simply feeling disconnected from others.

Although loneliness is not a mental health condition, it can still have a big impact on emotional wellbeing. Feeling low, anxious, or overwhelmed can also make it harder to reach out for support or stay connected with people around you.

The most important thing to remember is that you are not alone, and support is available locally for anyone who may be struggling with these feelings.

What is loneliness?

Loneliness is something many people experience when they do not feel connected to others in the way they need or want to. It can happen when we do not have enough social contact, but it can also happen when the relationships around us do not feel emotionally supportive or meaningful.

Everyone experiences loneliness differently. For some people, it may only last a short time after a big life change, such as moving home, starting a new job, or losing someone important. For others, it can feel more constant and difficult to overcome.

You may feel lonely if you:

• Do not feel understood by the people around you
• Feel like you have no one to talk to
• Are going through something others do not seem to understand
• Find it difficult to make or maintain relationships
• Feel disconnected from your community
• Are surrounded by people but still feel emotionally alone

Feeling lonely is not a weakness or a personal failure. It is a very human experience, and many people go through periods of loneliness at different stages of life.

Why can loneliness affect mental health?

Feeling lonely for a long time can have a real impact on emotional wellbeing and day-to-day life. It may leave people feeling low, anxious, isolated, or lacking in confidence. Over time, loneliness can also make it harder to reach out for support, even when someone wants to connect with others.

Loneliness and mental health can sometimes become linked in a difficult cycle. For example, when people feel anxious, stressed, or overwhelmed, they may begin to avoid social situations. This can lead to feeling more isolated, which can then make reconnecting with others feel even more difficult.

Loneliness can also affect daily routines and overall wellbeing. Some people may struggle with sleep, lose motivation, stop doing things they once enjoyed, or find it harder to take care of themselves. Over time, this can affect both mental and physical health.

At Rotherham and Barnsley Mind, we believe nobody should feel they have to cope with these feelings alone. Talking openly about loneliness and mental health can be an important first step towards finding support, building confidence, and feeling more connected to others.

What can cause loneliness?

There are many different reasons why someone may feel lonely. Sometimes there is a clear cause, while other times the feeling can be harder to explain or understand.

• People may experience loneliness because of:
• Bereavement or grief
• Relationship breakdowns
• Moving to a new area
• Starting or leaving work, school, college, or university
• Retirement
• Becoming a parent or carer
• Living alone
• Physical health problems or disability
• Mental health difficulties
• Financial pressures or worries
• Bullying, discrimination, or feeling excluded
• Not feeling accepted for who they are
• Spending a lot of time online without feeling genuinely connected to others

Some people may be more affected by loneliness because they face additional barriers to support, such as poverty, caring responsibilities, disability, stigma, discrimination, or limited access to local services and opportunities.

Loneliness can also feel harder to cope with when people feel they should manage everything on their own. This can make it more difficult to open about how they are feeling or reach out for support when they need it most.

What are the signs of loneliness?

Loneliness can affect people in very different ways. Some people may talk openly about feeling lonely, while others may try to hide it or keep themselves busy so that no one notices how they are really feeling.

Signs of loneliness can include:

• Feeling disconnected from other people
• Feeling left out, unwanted, or forgotten
• Withdrawing from friends, family, or social activities
• Finding it difficult to reply to messages or make plans
• Feeling anxious or uncomfortable in social situations
• Spending more time alone than you would like
• Feeling low, tearful, or emotionally exhausted
• Losing interest in things you would usually enjoy
• Comparing your life to others, especially on social media
• Feeling like no one would notice if you were struggling
• Using unhealthy ways to cope with difficult feelings

Loneliness can also affect physical wellbeing. Some people may notice changes in sleep or appetite, feel constantly tired, or experience stress, tension, or restlessness.

At Rotherham and Barnsley Mind, we understand that loneliness is not always visible, and everyone’s experience will be different.

How can you cope with loneliness?

There is no single “right” way to cope with loneliness, and what helps one person may not work for someone else. Often, the most helpful approach is to start with small, manageable steps rather than putting pressure on yourself to change everything at once.

Talk to someone you trust

If you feel able to, talking to someone you trust about how you have been feeling can really help. This might be a friend, family member, colleague, support worker, teacher, GP, counsellor, or helpline.

You do not have to explain everything perfectly. Sometimes, simply saying “I’ve been feeling quite lonely recently” can be an important first step towards feeling supported and understood.

Take small steps towards connection

When loneliness feels overwhelming, being around other people can sometimes feel difficult or exhausting. It can help to start with small steps that feel manageable for you. This might be sending one message, making a short phone call, saying hello to a neighbour, or spending time in a shared space such as a café, library, park, or community centre.

Even small moments of connection can make a difference, and those moments still matter.

Get involved in your local community

Connecting with people in your local community can help reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation. This might include community groups, wellbeing activities, volunteering opportunities, walking groups, creative sessions, peer support, faith groups, or local events across Rotherham, Barnsley, and the surrounding areas.

It is completely okay if you do not feel comfortable straight away. Building confidence, trust, and new connections takes time, and there is no pressure to rush the process.

Look after your wellbeing

Loneliness can make it more difficult to look after yourself, especially when your energy or motivation feels low. Even small daily routines can help support your wellbeing and create a sense of stability.

You could try:

• Getting outside for some fresh air
• Moving your body in a way that feels manageable
• Eating regular meals
• Keeping a consistent sleep routine
• Doing something creative or enjoyable
• Taking breaks from social media if it affects your mood
• Practising relaxation, mindfulness, breathing exercises, or prayer

These steps may not take feelings of loneliness away completely, but they can help you feel more grounded and supported while you gradually take steps towards connection and support.

Be kind to yourself

Loneliness can sometimes lead to harsh thoughts about yourself. You may begin to feel unlikeable, like a burden, or believe that everyone else is coping better than you. When you are struggling, these thoughts can feel very real, but they are not facts.

It can help to remind yourself that loneliness is something you are experiencing — it is not who you are, and it does not define your worth or value as a person.

How can you support someone who feels lonely?

You do not need to have all the right words or answers to support someone who is feeling lonely. Often, small acts of kindness, patience, and regular contact can make a real difference.

You could:

• Check in with them regularly
• Ask how they are really feeling
• Listen without judging or trying to fix everything
• Invite them to simple plans, such as going for a walk or having a coffee
• Keep including them, even if they sometimes say no
• Be patient if they find it difficult to open up
• Encourage them to seek support if they are struggling
• Help them find local groups, activities, or support services

Sometimes, simply knowing that someone cares and is there to listen can help a person feel less alone.

Try not to pressure someone into talking or make them feel guilty for feeling lonely. Instead, remind them that they matter, that you care about them, and that support is available when they are ready.

Sometimes people who feel lonely may pull away from others. This does not always mean they do not want connection. They may be feeling overwhelmed, anxious, emotionally drained, or unsure how to reach out for support.

When should you seek support?

It may be time to seek support if loneliness is beginning to affect your mood, sleep, confidence, relationships, daily routine, or ability to cope.

You do not have to wait until things feel overwhelming before asking for help. Support is available whether these feelings are new or something you have been carrying for a long time.

You could speak to your GP, a trusted professional, a local support service, or a mental health charity such as Rotherham and Barnsley Mind for support and guidance.

How Rotherham and Barnsley Mind can help

At Rotherham and Barnsley Mind, we provide mental health and wellbeing support for people across Rotherham, Barnsley, and the surrounding communities.

We offer safe, supportive, and non-judgemental spaces where people can talk openly about what they are going through, explore difficult feelings, and find ways to move forward. Our services support people experiencing a wide range of mental health and emotional wellbeing difficulties, including loneliness, isolation, anxiety, low mood, stress, anger, relationship difficulties, and major life changes.

Support available through Rotherham and Barnsley Mind includes:

• Adult counselling
• Private counselling and therapy
• Anger management support
• Couples counselling
• Children and young people’s support
• Groups and wellbeing support
• Resources and self-help information
• Training and workplace mental health support
• Information, advice, and signposting

We also offer funded counselling through our Adult 1-2-1 service. This can include up to six sessions, each lasting around 50 minutes, usually provided weekly either in person at our premises in Rotherham and Barnsley or online.

Our private therapy service is delivered by fully qualified and experienced therapists, providing a safe and confidential space to talk, reflect, and work through difficult experiences.

For adults aged 18 and over, referral options include General Counselling, Anger Management, and Couples Counselling. Reduced rates may be available for people receiving means-tested benefits or those on a low income.

We also provide support for children and young people under 18 through a dedicated young person referral pathway. Please be aware that this service can sometimes be in high demand, but a member of our team will be in touch as soon as possible.

If we are unable to provide the right support for your needs, we work closely with other local groups and organisations and can help guide you towards the most suitable support available

Contact Rotherham and Barnsley Mind

To find out more about services, you can contact:

Rotherham office: 01709 919929
Barnsley office: 01226 211188
Email: contactus@rbmind.co.uk

Address:
Rotherham and Barnsley Mind
Osborne House
1-2 Highfield
Doncaster Road
Rotherham
S65 1DZ

These contact details are listed on Rotherham and Barnsley Mind’s website. 

You can also contact the national Mind Infoline on 0300 123 3393, available Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm, except bank holidays. 

If you need urgent support

Rotherham and Barnsley Mind is not a crisis service. If you or someone else needs urgent help, support is available.

You can:

• Call 999 if there is an immediate risk to life
• Call NHS 111 for urgent medical advice
• Call Samaritans free on 116 123, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

Rotherham and Barnsley Mind’s website signposts people to Samaritans and NHS 111 for urgent support. 

You are not alone, support is available. Taking the first step can make a difference.

Posted on: 4th June 2026