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Wednesday 27 September 2023 Dublin: 12°C

# Loneliness

This year
2023
ALONE recommends older people to engage with their local community to combat loneliness
CEO of ALONE, Sean Moynihan said that the winter of 2022 was a tough time for elderly people.
Last year
2022
Leading charity needs to double volunteer base due to 'endemic' loneliness among older people
‘People are very good, but unfortunately the demand is very high,’ said the ALONE CEO.
All time
Opinion: 'Covid left many feeling disregarded by society because they don’t live in a family unit'
Yvonne Barnes-Holmes says that the level of suffering created by a lack of social interaction is just beginning to emerge.
Covid-19 and restrictions have had 'devastating impact' on mental health of LGBTI+ young people in Ireland
A new report provides insight into what life is like for LGBTI+ young people.
Young women in Ireland report being loneliest in EU, study finds
The findings were the first published from Eurofound’s living, working and Covid-19 online survey.
One-third of Irish adults over 50 report feeling lonely at least some of the time
The report will be launched today by researchers at Trinity College Dublin.
First of its kind fund launched to tackle loneliness
The first of its kind fund will go towards helping local groups and community-based projects.
'Sometimes they're just lonely and want a chat': What it means to volunteer at Childline
Childline saw it’s seventh millionth phone call earlier this year – we sat down with some volunteers to see what Childline means to them.
Why we need a minister with responsibility for loneliness
In the most interconnected period in history people are lonelier than ever writes Senator and GP Keith Swanick.
Poor sleep triggers viral loneliness and social rejection, study finds
That alienating vibe also makes sleep-deprived individuals more socially unattractive to others.
'I feel more secure': How HomeShare has been bringing the old and young together
We visited John and Amy who have been taking part in the service.
'It's an epidemic': Taskforce established to tackle issue of loneliness in Ireland
Loneliness is one of the greatest public health risks today.”
'At a time such as Storm Emma we can feel the emptiness of endless time without boundaries'
We gave little thought to the psychological and emotional stresses of Storm Emma’s enforced isolation, writes Stephanie Regan.
Poll: Should Ireland have a minister for loneliness?
The UK recently appointed a minister for that position.
Despite all our new communication modes, people are lonelier than ever
Loneliness is as prevalent in the young as it is in the old, it just manifests itself differently, writes Dr Keith Swanick.
Britain appoints 'Minister for Loneliness' to tackle the 'sad reality of modern life'
More than nine million people in the UK say they are always or often lonely, according to the British Red Cross.
'It can be a rough time': How comedian Sarah Millican is helping people who spend Christmas alone
This is the seventh year of her #joinin initiative which encourages those who are by themselves on Christmas Day to chat to join the online conversation for some company.
'I'd love more people to come out to me because I'm not getting out as much as I used to'
Alone is asking people to take the time to call into an elderly neighbour over Christmas.
It's very Irish to be ashamed if you don’t stumble upon love by some act of serendipity
“Actually admitting that we would be happier in a relationship seems to be an emotional hot potato,” says Rena Maycock.
A woman reached out to a lonely Daily Mail commenter and something wonderful happened
Prepare to have your heart warmed.
Guess what? It’s OK to be single, feel sad or have a few pounds to lose
Social media keeps us connected to each another but disconnected from the truth.
It's a jungle out there – how do you date successfully in modern Ireland?
The rules of engagement for dating, both in Ireland and around the world, have changed.
Online counselling offers easy-to-reach support for depression and anxiety
Its proponents say it offers advantages over other services – but just how popular is e-therapy in Ireland? We talk to mental health support website Turn2Me.org.
Fears that deaths by suicide rose over Christmas period
Calls to Console’s helpline rose by one third over the festive season.
Opinion: Learning from the Paris bloodshed – the need for an intercultural Ireland
Irish sports clubs, and in particular the GAA, have been immeasurable helpful in warmly welcoming young people from diverse backgrounds.
Column: Too much “stuff” – what causes hoarding?
Hoarding is far from rare, and yet it remains largely misunderstood.
If you need to talk to somebody today, there are people who WANT to listen
Christmas can be the worst time of the year for some – but there is help out there.
Opinion: Breaking up (around Christmas) is hard to do
Ending a relationship at this time of year can magnify the perception that everyone else is having a great time with their loved ones.
Opinion: A simple act of kindness could help someone feeling alone at this time of year
Spare a thought for those who will be on their own over the holiday period – this can be one of the worst times of the year.
Opinion: You’re never too old to talk – so don't overlook older people's mental health
Some great strides have been made in this country in recent years to tackle mental health issues, but let’s make sure all people in society are cared for.
Opinion: Yes, social media sometimes makes us feel alone – but it also shows we're not
In our haste to condemn all things Facebook and Twitter, let’s not forget they also present huge opportunities for realising we are not alone in our struggles.
A helpline is the only contact some elderly people have with others
Over 2,000 people have called Senior Help Line in the first three months of this year.
Loneliness is a health risk for the elderly
Loneliness has twice the impact of obesity on premature death.
Older generation feeling 'harsh impact' of emigration, says helpline
Senior Help Line has seen a “worrying” increase in the number of calls.
Poll: Will you call into a neighbour today?
On Christmas Day, is there someone outside the family that you’ll be checking in on?
Christmas can 'heighten feelings of loneliness and despair'
If you need to talk, there are people who want to listen.
Column: For many this Christmas, loneliness will turn the minutes into hours
It has been a brutal, punishing year for many people across this country. As we enter a new year, let’s focus on one another again and take the responsibility to lead others through this darkness and out the other side, writes Gareth O’Callaghan.
Column: Is loneliness in old age inevitable? Not in a caring society.
Everyone needs to feel wanted and remembered, but many older people are being left isolated because of rapid economic, social and technological changes, writes Anne Dempsey.
Tonight's Evening Fix... now with added thumbs up (and down)
Here are the things we learned, loved and shared today.
Column: Why I wanted to make a movie about isolation in rural Ireland
IFTA Rising Star winner, Gerard Barrett, says people in Ireland don’t talk enough about how they feel – which can lead to tragedy. In making his award-winning movie, Pilgrim Hill, for just €4500, he lifted the lid on loneliness experienced by country farmers.