Loneliness doesn’t care who you are. But we do.
This Mental Health Awareness Week we're showing everyone they're not alone. And showing the vital difference connection makes.
Whether you’re posting on TikTok but not feeling it IRL.
You’re living in a flatshare but still feel alone.
You’re a new parent who’s overwhelmed and isolated and with no one to turn to with those endless questions and worries.
You’ve just retired and miss having that structure in your life.
Whatever age we are, however many mates we have, whatever’s going on in our lives, anyone can feel lonely.
It shows that over half the adults in the UK have experienced loneliness - and for 1 in 3 young people it’s a regular thing.
It also shows that connection makes a vital difference. This Mental Health Awareness Week is all about celebrating the power and importance of community. And our research shows that for those that feel they belong to a community, feelings of loneliness were nearly three times lower than those that aren’t.
When you’re feeling isolated, making that first step to find your community can feel like a mountain to climb.
And we know loneliness is tough to deal with. It can feel embarrassing or shameful to even admit we feel lonely in the first place. But loneliness is a natural emotion and feeling. And the good thing is that there's help out there, and loads of ways to move forward.
But loneliness is our bodies’ warning sign to let us know we need contact, just like hunger tells us we need food.
Connection. That’s the thing. Knowing people have your back. It doesn’t matter how big or small that group is. Finding your people. Doing things you love.
But, more than that, a sense of belonging starts with you - knowing that you’re not alone and there’s support out there to help you find that connection.
If you have a Club - whether it’s Friday night D&D sessions, 5-a-side kickabouts, or something totally off the wall like snail racing — why not make them a CALM Club?
Clubs is all about groups of people doing something amazing by connecting people. Their superpower is creating a supportive place where no conversation is off limits.
Because we know we thrive when we have strong connections with other people and supportive communities that remind us: we are not alone.
There are loads of other ways CALM can help too. From advice and support through to a voice on the end of the line if things get too much, we’re here to show you, you’re never on your own.
