America is experiencing a loneliness epidemic. The U.S. Surgeon Genera released an advisory a year ago on the public health crisis of loneliness and it's still relevant See the HHS release here:
It says that loneliness and chronic isolation can lead to mental health issues and premature death. While it’s unfortunate the U.S. is grappling with this, I’m glad attention is being placed on this issue.
I have seen this sense of loneliness in clients time and time again, particularly teens and young adults. It is significantly impacting their mental health. While the COVID pandemic certainly played a factor in this issue, it was there before COVID hit. Here are some reasons why:
Social media and technology: Social media has led to less and less face to face socialization. Social media by design leads to comparison, leaving users feeling excluded or inadequate and furthering a sense of isolation. Face to face socializing requires some skills that aren’t being practiced as often when socializing virtually.
Performance pressure: Academic and performance pressure can feel overwhelming. I often see adolescents who feel the pressure to make top grades and perform at a high level in extracurriculars. The pressure often becomes of their own making as opposed to explicit messages. They often don’t recognize the more implicit ones that over time, create this internal monologue that they must succeed. Due to the pressure, they spend much more time focused on academics or extracurriculars, saving little room for more casual, beneficial social interactions.
Lack of supportive relationships: I have noticed that my adolescent clients sometimes struggle to develop supportive friendships. Their loneliness can get compounded with unhealthy friendships as they retreat even more due to these negative experiences. Friendships during adolescence are challenging.
This list is not exhaustive and there are many other factors that have led to this epidemic.
If you or someone you care about is experiencing loneliness or struggling socially, I am here to help. Just head over to my website: www.creating-solutions.org
The opinions expressed in this post are solely my own and are not a substitute for professional therapy.
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