The Correlation Between Loneliness and Mental Health Issues
Staff Writer: Danielle Yampuler
The Correlation Between Loneliness and Mental Health Issues
Humans are innately social creatures. Almost every animal is, but we often forget that fact in the face of an increasingly isolating world. More than half of the youth population of America reports consistent feelings of loneliness, and it is no wonder why. Digitization plays a role: people paint enviously perfect pictures of their lives on social media, posting photos of birthday parties and group hangouts tailored to make viewers feel excluded. Additionally, rates of loneliness rose exponentially during quarantine, and society has still not fully recovered. People feel more lonely now than ever, and many researchers have even described the phenomena as an “epidemic.” At Walt’s Waltz, we believe it is essential to both understand and address loneliness in the population, as it is a common issue that exacerbates or even causes mental health issues.
When a human is not able to socialize in the way they need to, feelings of inadequacy and hopelessness arise. We need adequate social relationships to feel a sense of fulfillment and support, and when we feel that we have not made proper connections with others, we are psychologically more likely to feel anxious, depressed, and even suicidal. These mental health issues affect us physically as well. Those who experience mental disturbances as a result of loneliness are also more likely to suffer from physical ailments such as hypertension, cardiovascular disease, obesity, and more. These physical issues and mental issues compound onto each other, causing a cycle that makes it difficult for an individual to address either.
The loneliness that people experienced during the earlier years of the pandemic really exemplifies these dire effects. Many people feel that they lost or weakened important relationships during the quarantine. Others lost family members and friends as a result of COVID-19. Additionally, many people developed social anxiety as a result of so much time spent away from other people. Those who were children or teens during quarantine also lost out on invaluable experiences that usually aid in developing pro-social behaviors. While it was essential to quarantine during the COVID-19 pandemic to protect immuno-compromised members of the population, the era undoubtedly left long-lasting effects on overall mental health.
In addition to this, modern youth experience specific factors that contribute to their high rates of loneliness. Adolescents are naturally more likely to feel lonely, as they are at a stage in their lives where social behavior is essential. On top of that, the modern digital landscape pushes youth to socially interact through a screen rather than face-to-face. Research has shown that Generation Z is less likely to socialize outside their homes than any other generation, and the false fulfillment technology provides contributes to that. Additionally, youth are more likely to feel lonely when they feel excluded, a feeling that commonly arises when scrolling through social media. When youth are only confronted with photos of friends having the times of their lives, it is easy to feel like they are not enough or an outcast in some way. These multiple factors that increase loneliness directly correlate with the rising percentage of youth who experience mental health issues such as anxiety and depression. However, it is important to clarify that mental health issues may only appear to be rising among youth due to there being less taboo surrounding mental health than in the past, leading to increased reporting.
Overall, it is essential to combat the loneliness epidemic to aid society. As loneliness increases, we must recognize the feeling’s direct correlation with mental health issues. At Walt’s Waltz, we believe that it is important to discuss feelings that prompt mental health issues with others. We, as humans, need to provide support to each other, shelter to each other, love to each other. Support systems and socialization are the basis of the human experience, and Walt’s Waltz provides many avenues to find new friends and peers. We encourage those who feel lonely to attend our in-person events, such as our painting mental health workshops. We also encourage you to reach out to friends, family, and peers. Recovering from loneliness is not easy, but it is a goal that can, by definition, only be accomplished together.