The Loneliness Epidemic
You may have heard the term “loneliness epidemic.” It’s a strange phrase in a world where we can connect with anyone, anywhere, at any time. Yet, so many people describe feeling more isolated than ever.
Have you ever been in a room full of people and still felt completely alone? I have.
Loneliness isn’t just about being by yourself – it’s about feeling disconnected. As Johann Hari writes in his book Lost Connections, the opposite of depression isn’t happiness; it’s connection. Hari explains that loneliness doesn’t come from a lack of people, but from a lack of shared meaning – those moments when we feel seen, valued, and part of something bigger than ourselves.
“It’s not the number of people around you that matters – it’s sharing something with another person that feels meaningful to both of you.” — Johann Hari
In today’s world, connection can easily slip away. Families may be home together but sitting in separate rooms, each on a different device. Friends text instead of meet. Online communities can feel busy but shallow. We’ve never been more “linked,” yet we’re often missing the kind of genuine human contact that nourishes us.
Loneliness doesn’t just make us sad – it’s strongly linked to depression, anxiety, and even physical health problems. Our bodies are wired for belonging. When we lose that sense of connection, everything else feels harder.
Ways to Reconnect
Finding connection often starts with small, intentional steps. You might try:
- Volunteering or joining a community project
- Attending a local MeetUp or interest group (or starting your own!)
- Taking a class or joining a club
- Getting involved with a faith or cultural community
- Joining a sports or walking group
- Attending a support group
- Simply saying hello to someone on your daily walk
- Visiting a dog park if you have a social pup
Having lived in both city and regional communities, I’ve noticed that connection can look quite different. In Exmouth, I found community easily through the church and the arts centre. People had more time to catch up, and I’d often run into friends at the shop or the beach. It helped that everyone lived within seven minutes of each other.
Perth feels different. People live further apart and spend more time commuting, leaving less energy for connection. If you’ve moved from elsewhere or don’t have school or university ties, it can feel especially hard. Here, connection takes more conscious effort – but it’s still possible.
Maybe connection isn’t about how many people we know, but about how open we are to sharing something real. Sometimes, the first step is as simple as reaching out – to a friend, a neighbour, or even to a counsellor – and saying, “I’d like to feel more connected.”
What can you do this week to feel more connected?