Breaking The Stigma

We just celebrated World Mental Health Day, an initiative led by the World Health Organization and brought to life by people all over the world who shared their insights through the hashtag #WorldMentalHealthDay on social media.

To say mental health is important is an understatement, especially considering the estimated 25% increase in anxiety and depressive disorders worldwide during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. Since we’re still dealing with the uncertainty of the pandemic, among plenty of other factors that negatively contribute to our mental health, it’s crucial that we look out for one another.

According to several studies on loneliness in the United States, Gen-Z reports being the loneliest generation of all. Considering many Gen-Zers were either in high school or college during the height of the pandemic, this makes sense.

Struggling with mental health is still heavily stigmatized, regardless of how many #selfcare posts we see online. Too many young people still struggle with their mental health behind closed doors and it can be challenging to know whether or not someone is really okay, or just getting by. We’re all here to lift each other up when we can, but how do we know if our peers are struggling?

Here are some tell-tale signs that someone might be dealing with loneliness, along with actionable ways to help them:

1. Purposeful Self-Isolation

If one of your peers frequently turns down invitations to hang out or you see them removing themselves from groups, they might be struggling with loneliness. Let’s face it, the transition from forced solitude during the pandemic to now reintegrating with peers can be hard, even anxiety-inducing.

If you notice someone sitting alone in the cafeteria, choosing a seat in the back corner of the classroom, or constantly making excuses to avoid spending time with others outside of school, they might just be having a hard time transitioning to seeing their peers in person again.

What you can do: Even if they keep turning you down, continue offering them an invitation. They might accept when they’re ready, and it probably means a lot to them that you continue to invite them. You can also share a kind note with them through our New School Year, New Friends: You Belong Here campaign!

2. Missing School Frequently

Someone who is experiencing loneliness might miss school more often than normal. The transition back to in-person classes may be so overwhelming that they could feel too anxious to go to school. They might also become physically sick more often due to the effects of social isolation.

What you can do: If you notice that one of your peers has been missing class a lot more than usual, shoot them a text and let them know you missed them. Something like, hey, missed you in Geometry today. How are you feeling? See if they want to make a plan to walk into school together so they don’t have to go in by themselves.

3. Glued to Their Phone

Although we might think that social media brings people together, it can actually be quite isolating, and even increase a sense of loneliness. We all know how addictive apps like Instagram or TikTok can be. If you notice that someone is totally glued to their phone, tuning out the outside world, that could be a sign of loneliness.

Some young people find social media easier to navigate than in-person interactions, but the so-called friendships that they make online don’t often translate to the real world. This can be incredibly isolating, and make people feel more lonely rather than more connected.

What you can do: Invite them to do an activity that requires unplugging from social media for a while. Perhaps it’s a hike, a bike ride, or playing basketball. Spending time with you doing something you both enjoy might remind that person that they’re not alone, and they might realize that they’ve been missing out on fun activities with friends because they’ve been too focused on social media.

4. Falling Asleep in Class

Studies show that isolation and loneliness are correlated with disturbed sleep, resulting in increased tiredness throughout the day. If you notice one of your peers falling asleep in class frequently, it could be a sign that they’re lonely or struggling with their mental health.

What you can do: Encourage them to join a club or play a sport with you. This way, they’ll have the opportunity to hang out with new people and feel part of a community.

5. Focusing a Lot on Material Possessions

Sometimes people experiencing loneliness might try to fill a void with material possessions. If you notice a friend or peer becoming more and more focused on their material things or engaging in compulsive shopping, loneliness could be a factor in their behavior.

What you can do: Giving your peers compliments on their personality, rather than the clothes they wear or the things they have, reminds them that you like them for who they are–not what they have. If they contributed something interesting in class, let them know that you appreciate what they said. We can’t change our friends’ spending habits, but we can give them a boost of confidence for something that can’t be bought.

Let’s face it, loneliness is something that can happen to all of us, and it can be a huge damper on our well-being. In order to fight the stigma that comes with loneliness and mental health challenges, it’s important that we stick together in solidarity. Make sure to check out our diverse mental health resources page, which you can share with a friend who might need it. We’ve got this!