Loneliness awareness week 2023

Hosted by the Marmalade Trust, 12-18 June marks Loneliness Awareness Week, an annual campaign that aims to get people talking about an often taboo subject

No one ever really talks about feeling lonely but if we're being honest, we all do at some point. Loneliness comes in all shapes and sizes. Sometimes it's a fleeting feeling - there one minute and gone the next, and at other times it's all consuming.

That's why the Marmalade Trust, the leading loneliness charity for all ages and the only charity in the world specifically dedicated to raising awareness of loneliness, launched Loneliness Awareness Week in 2017. The aim of the campaign is simple, to get more people talking openly about their experience of loneliness.

This year's theme is 'Connection matters' and it encourages everyone to harness and appreciate everyday moments of connection, be that a friendly exchange with your regular barista, a chat with a shopkeeper or a smile with a stranger. Find out how to get involved at lonelinessawarenessweek.org.

As a student you've got a lot to deal with and situations that can make you feel lonely include:

• living away from home - discover what to do when you feel homesick
• making new friends
• navigating a new town or city
• getting to grips with your course
• managing your finances - learn more about saving money as a student.

We all know that it's important to look after your mental health while at university and the first step to combatting loneliness is to admit that you're feeling isolated. This could be as simple as having a chat with a friend. There are other things you can do to beat that lonely feeling, such as:

• joining a club or society
• getting involved in university projects, such as student journalism
• finding a part-time job
• volunteering

If you're really struggling, speak to someone in your university's wellbeing team. There are people on hand at your institution who can lend a listening ear and provide advice. Find out where to find help at university.

If you notice that a friend or coursemate is feeling lonely, reach out a friendly hand. Offer to go for a coffee, arrange to go for a walk or take them out to lunch. Oftentimes even the smallest gesture, such as a smile and friendly greeting or saving them a seat in a lecture, can have the biggest impact.

There should be no shame in feeling lonely and the more awareness there is on the subject the less of a stigma it carries. 

Find out more

• Read about 5 ways to manage student stress.
• Return to The Topic for more news, insights and opinions.