Loneliness
Loneliness is an emotion we have when we feel alone. Weirdly you can feel lonely even if you are with loads of people. Loneliness is horrible.
Even though we have lots of technology (which helps us to stay in touch), the feeling of loneliness for young people is getting more common. It seems that lots of young people experience feeling lonely and isolated
Covid -19 didn’t help. Not only were people feeling emotionally isolated, but we were also physically isolated from our friends and extended families. Some people liked being at home, but for others it was depressing, stressful and even dangerous.
People say that teenagers today lack the closeness of face-to-face contact. Like when you are all sat in a room together but are all talking through your devices rather than giving eye contact and using your voices. This could be a factor that makes you feel more lonely and maybe low or depressed.
Interactive human communication skills help our brains to process our environment and work out if we are safe or in danger. If we are always staring at our screens we are less aware of what is going on around us. If we are constantly comparing our lives to people on social media we can have FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) leading to low mood and isolation. All these things can increase feelings of loneliness.
What makes you feel lonely?
1. Feeling too shy and introverted to connect with others
2. Not feeling confident to talk to people
3. Saying you don’t really feel like you need friends (even though you might really)
4. Feeling like friendships are too much work or you are too busy to make new friends
5. Not knowing other people you can be your true self with (for example if you are disabled, or LGBTQ+ or into D&D – or all of those things!) Sometimes you just need to find your tribe.
6. Starting a new school or moving house – feeling like everybody has set friendships already.
7. Not having youth clubs to go to, or jobs being harder to get than in the past
8. Feeling like nobody likes you or want to be your friend
Feeling lonely is horrible. It can make you feel alone, unsupported, unconnected, or maybe even un-loveable. You might think it’s your fault, or that nobody will ever like you. This is not true. The good news is there are places you can go to meet new people and to make new friends. If you feel lonely it can seem like everyone is against you, that no-one understands you, that no-one like you. But this can change.
There are things you can do!
Spend less time on social media and do something else instead – (in just 3 weeks you can significantly reduce your feelings of loneliness and low mood).
Try a new activity, find a new hobby or go to a club.
Make a list of things you want from a friendship and try and work on those things in yourself – like kindness or being truthful or funny!
Tell a trusted person how you feel.
Find a counsellor or youth worker and ask for some help.
Be brave.
Be kind to yourself.
Remember there are other people who feel lonely too – it’s not just you.
Remember you won’t always feel lonely
Further Support
Response Counselling Service
Response counselling service works with young people aged 13-18. It is a free confidential service working with young people with moderate to severe issues which include suicide ideation, self harming, depression, high levels of anxiety bereavement etc.
We also work with the Response Alcohol and drugs team as many referral come for both services. Our work is separate from but alongside CAMHS, sharing risk between the 2 services. The referral system is usually by filling in a referral form and sending it by email unless it’s a parent referring and we can take it over the phone. We can only accept referral if it’s with the consent of the young person.
If a young person mentioned suicide then it’s fine for a worker to talk with them but it does need referring on, talking about suicide will never increase the risk of a young person taking their own life.
Self harm can include many ways , it is a physical way of dealing with an emotion. Again it needs referring on as stopping a young person from harming themselves isn’t going to deal with why they are having to do it.
Tel: 0151 666 4123
Health Services in Schools Youth Workers
HSIS Youth Workers support young people in Wirral Secondary Schools, Wirral Sixth Form College and Wirral Met College.
Each school/college has a designated HSIS Youth Worker that provides young people with an opportunity to access confidential support on any issues which may be affecting them.
We provide support to young people on a wide range of issues and topics such as: building resilience, reducing risks, healthy relationships, sexual Health (including issuing condoms in some schools) drugs, alcohol, emotional health, Stress and Anxiety.
To find your youth worker visit their page.
hatch
hatch is here to make sure that you have emotional wellbeing support.
Much of the time we are not born with the innate ability to cope with these things on our own.
This is where we can help. hatch provide 1-1 sessions to help develop a range of skills and strategies that can have a positive impact on your mental health and wellbeing. Our volunteer mentors support you to complete a computerised CBT skills intervention called Bazaar -that explores which things work best for you. CBT stands for Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, which sounds pretty intimidating. What it actually means is learning a way of thinking that helps us face tough times in a positive way.
hatch support Wirral Young People aged 11 -16yrs
To get in touch about accessing hatch please head to our website and complete a referral form via our 'Get in touch' page.
Access is free and immediate.
Twitter: @hatchmerseyside
Instagram: @hatchmerseyside
Website: hatchmerseyside.co.uk
Open Door Centre
If you are aged 17 - 30, you can become a member and then access as many of our services as you like, including Creative Therapeutic Support if you are feeling down, low, stressed or anxious, numerous different activities within music and the arts, unique training and volunteering opportunities and much more. Membership is free, with no waiting lists.
CAMHS Advice Line
This site was created for young people, carers and professionals to pool together lots of helpful resources from across the internet.
24 hour mental health line 0800 145 6485 any age.
Action for Children
Best start in life
We know how important the early years are - and we’re here to help. From parenting advice to education and early intervention, we focus on improving children’s life chances.
Good mental health
Everyone has ups and downs in life. Our mental and emotional well-being experts work with families and schools to make sure children and parents feel able to cope with challenges when they arise.
A safe and loving home
We make sure more children feel part of a family that cares for them. We find homes for those without, protect children who have been abused or neglected, and help ensure young carers don’t miss out on a childhood.
KOOTH
Free, safe and anonymous online support for young people
Monday – Friday 12pm – 10pm
Saturday – Sunday 6pm – 10pm
kooth.com
SHOUT
Shout is an affiliate of Crisis Text Line® in the UK that provides free, confidential support, 24/7 via text. It’s the first free 24/7 texting service in the UK for anyone in crisis anytime, anywhere. Shout is available in England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland
Text SHOUT to 85258 in the UK to text with a trained Crisis Volunteer
or
Text BLUE to 85258 to get resources and sign posting information.
Every texter is connected with a real-life human being trained to bring people from a hot moment to a cool calm place through active listening and collaborative problem-solving. All of our Crisis Volunteers donate their time to helping people in crisis.
Anxiety UK
Provides information, support and advice for anyone struggling with anxiety.
Live chat service available.
Phone: 03444 775 774
Text: 07537 416 905
Email: support@anxietyuk.org.uk
Opening times: 9.30am-5.30pm, Monday-Friday
No Panic
Supports people struggling with panic attacks, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), phobias and other anxiety-related issues related - and provides support and information for their carers.
Offers a specialist youth helpline for people aged 13-20. The opening hours are 3pm - 6pm, Monday - Friday; 6pm - 8pm, Thursdays and Saturdays.
Call 01952 680835 for a recorded breathing exercise to help you through a panic attack (available 24/7).
Information about call costs here.
Phone: 0300 7729844
Phone: 0330 606 1174 (Youth helpline)
Email: sarah@nopanic.org.uk
Opening times: 10am - 10pm, 365 days a year
OCD Action
Offers support and information to anybody affected by obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD).
Website provides information and advice to help you access treatment.
Phone: 0300 636 5478
Email: support@ocdaction.org.uk
Email: youthhelpline@ocdaction.org.uk
Opening times: 9:30am - 8pm, Monday - Friday
The Mix
Offers support to anyone under 25 about anything that’s troubling them.
Email support available via their online contact form.
Free 1-2-1 webchat service available.
Free short-term counselling service available.
Phone: 0808 808 4994
Opening times: 4pm - 11pm, seven days a week
Childline
If you’re under 19 you can confidentially call, chat online or email about any problem big or small.
Sign up for a free Childline locker (real name or email address not needed) to use their free 1-2-1 counsellor chat and email support service.
Can provide a BSL interpreter if you are deaf or hearing-impaired.
Hosts online message boards where you can share your experiences, have fun and get support from other young people in similar situations.
Phone: 0800 1111
Opening times: 9am - midnight, 365 days a year
YoungMinds Crisis Messenger
Provides free, 24/7 text support for young people across the UK experiencing a mental health crisis.
All texts are answered by trained volunteers, with support from experienced clinical supervisors.
Texts are free from EE, O2, Vodafone, 3, Virgin Mobile, BT Mobile, GiffGaff, Tesco Mobile and Telecom Plus.
Texts can be anonymous, but if the volunteer believes you are at immediate risk of harm, they may share your details with people who can provide support.
Text: YM to 85258
Opening times: 24/7