Children & Young People Suffering Loneliness

Hayley Garner, NSPCC Local Campaigns Manager for London and South East, explains the impact of loneliness for children and young people as the world continues to change 

Thanks to the online world and social media, young people are more connected than ever and can speak to distant friends around the clock at a push of a button. However, loneliness is still a huge factor in the lives of many children here in Sussex and across the UK. 

The NSPCC’s Childline service delivered almost 5,000 counselling sessions to children and young people last year, where the main topic of concern was loneliness. 

Some children said their loneliness was caused by moving house or school and having to make new friends because their parents worked long hours. Some said they had been bullied by their peers, while others felt they were missing out on fun after seeing their friends’ social media posts. 

One 16-year-old girl told Childline counsellors: “I feel so lonely all the time, I end up crying and trying to sleep until the feeling goes away. I’ve tried to help myself, but nothing worked. I feel like I’ve been this way forever, I need this to change.” 

Loneliness can have a huge impact on children’s mental health and can leave them feeling hopeless and unseen, so it is heartbreaking to know so many young people turn to Childline because they feel lonely and isolated. 

We might be at the start of spring, but the bleakness of the winter months can still linger on. This can make feelings of loneliness even more intense, so it is hugely important that children know they don’t have to face these emotions alone. 

Having open and honest conversations is vital so if you are worried about a child, try to encourage them to speak to you about their concerns and feelings. Let them know they can talk about what is troubling them and that they won’t be judged. By reassuring them they can speak openly, they might be more likely to do so. 

It’s also a good thing to remind them if they don’t feel comfortable speaking to you about their feelings and emotions, the NSPCC’s Childline counsellors are available to help around the clock on the phone or online. Childline offers free and confidential support to children and young people whenever they need it. 

Without prying, see if you can find out what they think is causing the problem. Ask if they know why they might be feeling this way and reassure them that their emotions are valid. 

Getting advice about building confidence and self- esteem is a great way to help children feel confident when meeting new people, as well as focusing on the things they like about themselves. 

Joining a club or group where children can meet new people is also a good way of dealing with feelings of loneliness. This could be a sports team, music class or even book club. Encouraging children to get involved in hobbies and activities can really help them focus on what makes them feel good. 

The most important thing is to try and build a supportive environment.Remember, loneliness isn’t something that can be resolved with one conversation. But creating an environment of openness where a child can talk to you or Childline about their feelings and any struggles they may be facing, it is possible to help them feel better. 

Childline is available to every young person, no matter what their situation. Whether they are missing a friend, struggling at school, or finding it difficult to talk to those around them, the dedicated counsellors are ready to listen and provide support. 

The service has also created a new online tool called Building Connections which supports young people who may be dealing with loneliness. Building Connections is an online text-based service available to anyone up to the age of 19 and matches young people with a trained befriender from the NSPCC. Over 11 weeks, these experts will help them to build their confidence, their self-esteem, and better manage their loneliness.

To find out more about Building Connections or to refer a child to the service, search online for NSPCC Building Connections.

Children can also speak to others their own age through moderated Childline message boards to find out how other young people have dealt with similar situations, and there are resources available on the Childline website which may help. 

www.childline.org.uk

Tel: 0800 1111