# Loneliness

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.

26.9k

Oct 29th 2021, 7:00 AM

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.

10.1k

May 20th 2021, 6:30 AM

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.

39.3k

May 29th 2020, 1:52 PM

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.

13.1k

Oct 21st 2019, 10:29 AM

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.

21.4k

Apr 17th 2019, 8:08 PM

'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.

7.9k

Dec 26th 2018, 9:00 AM

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.

11.7k

Dec 4th 2018, 7:00 AM

# Sleep deprivation

Poor sleep triggers viral loneliness and social rejection, study finds

That alienating vibe also makes sleep-deprived individuals more socially unattractive to others.

28.1k

Aug 19th 2018, 9:00 PM

'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.

28.0k

Jul 15th 2018, 9:30 PM

# Lonely

'It's an epidemic': Taskforce established to tackle issue of loneliness in Ireland

“Loneliness is one of the greatest public health risks today.”

15.3k

Mar 17th 2018, 7:00 AM

'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.

21.6k

Mar 6th 2018, 7:00 AM

# Your Say

Poll: Should Ireland have a minister for loneliness?

The UK recently appointed a minister for that position.

19.7k

Jan 26th 2018, 9:29 AM

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.

32.5k

Jan 26th 2018, 7:00 AM

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.

17.5k

Jan 18th 2018, 9:04 AM

# join in

'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.

15.3k

Dec 24th 2017, 11:00 AM

# ALONE

'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.

12.3k

Dec 21st 2016, 10:00 PM

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.

675

Dec 20th 2015, 7:30 PM

# lovely

A woman reached out to a lonely Daily Mail commenter and something wonderful happened

Prepare to have your heart warmed.

11.9k

Dec 19th 2015, 10:51 AM

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.

151

Jul 22nd 2015, 8:00 AM

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.

2.0k

Jun 22nd 2015, 12:45 AM

# Turn2Me

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.

15.6k

Jun 14th 2015, 8:40 AM

# Depression

Fears that deaths by suicide rose over Christmas period

Calls to Console’s helpline rose by one third over the festive season.

9.4k

Jan 20th 2015, 4:05 PM

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.

466

199

Jan 18th 2015, 12:00 PM

Column: Too much “stuff” – what causes hoarding?

Hoarding is far from rare, and yet it remains largely misunderstood.

690

Jan 7th 2015, 8:00 AM

# Christmas

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.

6.9k

Dec 25th 2014, 9:45 AM

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.

Dec 24th 2014, 12:00 PM

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.

409

Dec 11th 2014, 8:00 AM

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.

173

Oct 10th 2014, 8:00 AM

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.

2.2k

May 6th 2014, 1:00 PM

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.

6.8k

Apr 15th 2014, 6:00 AM

# early death

Loneliness is a health risk for the elderly

Loneliness has twice the impact of obesity on premature death.

6.4k

Feb 17th 2014, 11:08 AM

Older generation feeling 'harsh impact' of emigration, says helpline

Senior Help Line has seen a “worrying” increase in the number of calls.

8.1k

Jan 30th 2014, 12:31 PM

# Your Say

Poll: Will you call into a neighbour today?

On Christmas Day, is there someone outside the family that you’ll be checking in on?

6.3k

Dec 25th 2013, 8:45 AM

Christmas can 'heighten feelings of loneliness and despair'

If you need to talk, there are people who want to listen.

6.2k

Dec 25th 2013, 8:15 AM

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.

Dec 19th 2013, 7:30 PM

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.

808

Oct 2nd 2013, 1:00 PM

# need to know

Tonight's Evening Fix... now with added thumbs up (and down)

Here are the things we learned, loved and shared today.

6.8k

May 16th 2013, 7:02 PM

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.

1.2k

Apr 25th 2013, 7:00 AM