Do you know someone who you think might be feeling lonely? If so, here’s something that can really help – the Better Health: Every Mind Matters Loneliness campaign. It’s a government initiative from the DMCS (Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport), so let’s dive in and see what it’s all about.
What is the ‘Better Health: Every Mind Matters Loneliness’ campaign all about?
Loneliness can have a huge impact on our wellbeing. That’s why the DCMS has created the Better Health: Every Mind Matters Loneliness campaign. Its main aim to get people to help others who feel lonely, by raising awareness and encouraging simple actions that can help ‘lift someone out of loneliness’. Because if we do this regularly, we can all help to lift each other up.
What can you do to lift someone out of loneliness?
If you’d like to help someone feeling lonely, here are some top tips from the campaign:
Pay them a visit. Reaching out for a chat and cuppa with a family member or friend is the best way of making them feel less lonely. And don’t just make it a one-off – make sure to check-in regularly.
Use tech to stay in touch. If you can’t see someone in person, there are loads of other ways to contact them… call them on the phone, make a video call, set up a Whatsapp group or message them on Facebook – almost any kind of contact can help remind them they’re not alone.
Go for a walk. “Fancy a walk?” Sure, these are just three simple words - but sometimes the smallest actions can make the biggest difference. So next time you go for a walk, invite someone else along.
Feeling lonely yourself?
Okay, so we’ve given you some advice for helping others - now it’s time to think about yourself. If you’re feeling lonely, why not give some of these suggestions a try?
Talk to friends and family. Sometimes a friendly chat can make a big difference, even if it’s a video chat with someone miles away.
Join a group. Being part of a club is a great way to meet new people and make friends. Have a think about the kind of things you’d like to try out, and see what’s available in your local area. You can check out VisitEngland's list of cheap and free things to do for suggested events.
Enjoy some fresh air. Spending time outdoors in green space, doing things like hiking, walking or cycling are just some of the ways to lift your mood and focus your mind.
Volunteer to help others. Think about volunteering to help in your local community. It’s a great way to connect with people. Plus, seeing the benefits of your actions can really give your mental wellbeing a boost.
More advice and support
You can find more lots more support and advice for ways to get lifted out of loneliness on the Every Mind Matters – Loneliness NHS webpage. You can also find simple ways to lift your mood with Every Mind Matters.
If you're currently feeling stressed or anxious, the NHS mental health hub is packed with great advice and handy tools to help. And if you take this NHS Mind Plan quiz, you’ll get a personalised mental health action plan that includes great tips for dealing with stress, anxiety and loneliness. It’s only five quick questions, so it won’t take up too much of your time.
Your smartphone can help too! There are loads of great mindfulness apps out there, and lots are completely free. To help you get started, we’ve rounded up some top apps to help you find your calm.
Do you have any tips for tackling loneliness? Any suggestions for useful mindfulness apps? We’d love to hear what you think, so share your thoughts with the iD Community below.
