Social isolation and loneliness can happen to anyone. We’re social beings, so it’s completely natural to feel a sense of sadness if we are disconnected from others. Loneliness is a natural symptom of this disconnect. It can make us feel distressed or anxious and affect our mental health.

There are a range of reasons why you might be feeling lonely or isolated - falling out with friends, moving cities or starting at a new school. It’s important to speak out when you feel yourself becoming isolated from others, as long periods of loneliness can have negative impacts on both your mental and physical wellbeing.

Sometimes, social media doesn’t make it any easier. When everyone is posting things all the time, it’s easy to feel left out. Social media can exacerbate feelings of loneliness by setting the standard of socialisation way too high. Instagram, Snapchat and Facebook are all excellent apps that help us connect with friends, however, they can create an unhealthy expectation of constant interaction.

There are no textbook, sure-fire ways to combat feelings loneliness as it’s experienced differently by everyone. Sometimes dealing with loneliness can be as easy as picking up the phone and calling up a close friend or family member. But other times it is not that easy. Our feelings of isolation and disconnect could be indicators of a mental illness. If you feel like loneliness is not something you can’t tackle by yourself, seek professional advice.