Survey finds youth worried about loneliness

Youth mental health organisation ReachOut has released a new report that found more than half (57 per cent) of young people are concerned, stressed or worried about feeling lonely.

Released on International Day of Friendship (July 30), the new report is based on a national survey by ReachOut of more than 660 young people aged 16-25.

Of the young people who reported loneliness as one of the most concerning issues for them, stress related to feeling lonely is manifesting in different ways.

These include having a moderate to major impact on their mental health and wellbeing (82 per cent), mood changes (75 per cent), sleep issues (64 per cent), changes to appetite (30 per cent) and challenges with relationships (50 per cent).

Gender, sexuality and location played a factor when it came to young people’s experiences of loneliness:

69 per cent of women and 60 per cent of non-binary and gender diverse young people identified that they were feeling lonely, compared to 40 per cent of males

70 per cent of LGBTQIA+ young people reported feeling lonely compared to 51 per cent of heterosexual young people, and 65 per cent of young people living in regional and remote areas said they were feeling lonely, compared to 55 per cent of young people living in major cities.

ReachOUT chief executive officer Ashley de Silva said International Day of Friendship was an important opportunity to highlight young peoples’ experiences of loneliness and to encourage young people to seek support.

“Not only does ReachOut’s new report show loneliness is a major issue for young people across the country, it also shows that it’s having a range of impacts on their lives.

“Loneliness can affect mood, mental health and wellbeing, and other areas of a young person’s life including sleep, appetite and relationships.

“Importantly, this report is not just about numbers. When young people told us about their experiences of loneliness, many expressed a perceived lack of support from their friends and family, a need for closer relationships, a need for people to talk to and hopes to find new connections.

“By releasing this report on International Day of Friendship we want to open up conversations about loneliness, share ways to create connections and encourage young people to seek support.”

ReachOut has support information for young people on loneliness and friendship, an Online Community and one-to-one peer support via ReachOut PeerChat.

The organisation also has information for parents supporting young people on loneliness and friendships, a parents forum and a one-one-one parents coaching service.

Head to au.reachout.com