Find a Mental Health Professional for Loneliness & Isolation

About Loneliness & Isolation support

Loneliness is the painful gap between the social connection a person has and the connection they want. It is not the same as being alone: people can feel lonely in relationships, at work, or in a crowd. Loneliness is increasingly recognised as a significant health concern. Chronic loneliness is associated with poorer physical health, increased risk of depression and anxiety, and reduced wellbeing. Life events such as moving to a new city, retirement, relationship breakdown, or illness can all bring on or intensify feelings of isolation. Support for loneliness can take several forms. Counselling and psychotherapy can help people explore the barriers to connection, build confidence in social situations, and work through any underlying anxiety, shame, or past relational experiences that make reaching out feel difficult. Community connection programs, interest groups, and volunteer opportunities can complement individual therapy by providing real opportunities to meet others. In Australia, organisations such as Beyond Blue and R U OK? offer resources and support for people experiencing loneliness. Some community health centres and GP clinics use social prescribing approaches that link people to local programs and activities. If loneliness has been building for some time or is affecting your mood, speaking with a GP or counsellor is a useful starting point for finding support that fits your situation.