Loneliness

Loneliness is very common in Finland

About 30% of Finnish people feel lonely at least sometimes. The percentages have risen significantly, 8.5 percentage points, between 2018 and 2022 (Statistics Finland, 2023)

Loneliness is a health risk

– Especially at a young age, loneliness can often lead to anxiety, depression, self-harm and other mental health problems. Young people in Finland who are lonely are more likely to suffer from repetitive headaches, stomach pains, nervousness and difficulties falling asleep, and they use more medication than others for these problems, says Niina Junttila, researcher of loneliness and Professor of Educational Psychology.

– Loneliness increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases, inflammations, diabetes and dementia, among others. Lonely people of all ages have been found to visit the doctor more often than others and to require longer periods of hospital treatment due to mental and physical health problems.

Loneliness can be felt as social pain in the same areas of the brain as physical pain.

Children of lonely parents have been found to be at greater risk of growing up to be lonely young people.

What makes you prone to loneliness?

Risk factors for loneliness:

• inherited traits, learnt patterns and personality traits
• deficiencies in emotional self-regulation and social skills
• ill treatment and unsafe relationships

Indirect risk factors for loneliness:

• moving to a new area
• moving to a new class in school
• being excluded from studies and being bullied or excluded in one’s own learning, hobby or work community

Source: Niina Junttila, researcher of loneliness, Professor of Educational Psychology

Shy, timid and introverted people may find it difficult to get to know other people, which increases the risk of social isolation.

In the midst of loneliness, the world seems cold

–Loneliness directs attention and distorts interpretations of social situations. This has been confirmed, for example, in eye tracking studies, which have shown that lonely people focus their attention on more negative things, such as arguments or people who seem angry, and ignore happier things, such as friendly facial expressions, gestures and smiles, Junttila describes.

–This means that people who have suffered from loneliness for a long time interpret social situations as threatening and the intentions of others as hostile, and therefore they often exclude themselves in advance instead of trying to build new relationships. This acts as a shield against situations they perceive as threatening, but it also prevents good things that could lead to a way out of loneliness.

How can we reduce loneliness and help someone who is lonely?

• Ask how they are doing. A lonely person retreats easily within four walls and starts to avoid social situations. Don’t give up, even if it seems like the lonely person would prefer to remain hidden. Stay in touch.
• Help the lonely person to see that they are more than just lonely.
• Help the lonely person to also think about concrete actions they can take to connect with other people.
• Remind them that there is no deadline for getting new friends and creating relationships: we can form new relationships throughout our lives.
• Let’s work together to break down the stigma or shame associated with loneliness. Loneliness is not a sign that a person is somehow more defective, weaker or less important than others. Let’s remember that anyone can feel lonely.

It can be hard to avoid occasional feelings of loneliness in life. However, if prolonged, loneliness can affect mental health.

If you or your loved one has felt apathetic for a long time, if nothing makes you feel good and if endless exhaustion, guilt, difficulties to concentrate or sleep problems weigh on you, contact your doctor.

It could be depression or some other mental disorder that can be treated.

Support and online counselling

MIELI Kriisipuhelin crisis helpline in Finnish

The Finnish-speaking MIELI Kriisipuhelin crisis helpline is available 24/7 every day on 09 2525 0111. You can call anonymously and confidentially.

MIELI Kriisipuhelin crisis helpline helps you for example when your life has just changed and you feel bad, or you feel like you can’t cope alone with fear, worry or grief.

Kristelefon crisis helpline in Swedish

The Swedish-speaking Kristelefon crisis helpline is available on 09 2525 0112 on Mondays and Wednesdays between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m., and on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Crisis helpline in English

The English-speaking crisis helpline is available on 09 2525 0116 on Fridays between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Crisis helpline in Ukrainian

The Ukrainian-speaking crisis helpline is available on 09 2525 0114 on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays between 12 p.m. and 4 p.m., and on Tuesdays and Fridays between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Crisis helpline in Russian

The Russian-speaking crisis helpline is available on 09 2525 0115 on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays between 12 p.m. and 4 p.m., and on Tuesdays and Fridays between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Sekasin Chat

In the Sekasin Chat (in Finnish) you can have anonymous conversations about issues that are on your mind. The chat is staffed by professionals from various organisations and trained volunteers.

The chat is open every weekday from 9 a.m. to midnight and on weekends from 3 p.m. to midnight.

Sekasin Gaming

Sekasin Gaming server is open 24/7. In the server’s text and voice channels, you can get to know new people, make friends and play games safely with friends or strangers.

In addition to peers, the server regularly hosts professionals from various fields who support young people. The discussions are moderated around the clock.