Loneliness is something many of us experience, but it can feel different for everyone.   Research from the BBC Loneliness Experiment sheds light on how it affects different groups. Understanding these insights can help us navigate our own feelings of loneliness and offer support to those around us.

Some key findings include:

• Younger respondents (18-24) reported the highest levels of loneliness, with 40% feeling lonely, compared to only 27% of older participants.
• 41% of respondents believed loneliness could sometimes be a positive experience.
• Loneliness was more common among the unemployed, regardless of age.
• Those who are blind or partially sighted reported higher loneliness, especially when they felt discriminated against.
• While being in a relationship generally helped reduce loneliness, single respondents and younger parents (18-24) felt lonelier.
• Interestingly, living alone didn’t strongly predict loneliness, but spending a lot of time alone did.
• Carers, particularly women, reported higher levels of loneliness.
• Discrimination played a big role—respondents who identified as gay, bisexual, or from lower socioeconomic backgrounds felt lonelier when they experienced discrimination.

The podcast delves deeper into these findings and offers powerful insights into how loneliness impacts different communities. It's also a valuable resource to reflect on your own experiences and gain insights from others.   Listen here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0000m8s

Counselling can help you to explore fostering connections and understanding the emotions that shape who you are.  If loneliness is something you're struggling with contact me,  I'm here to help.