THERE IS A growing loneliness epidemic among young people in Ireland. While conversations about social isolation often focus on the elderly, now, more than ever, we also need to talk about its impact on the young.

Like all emotions, occasional loneliness is a normal part of life. However, persistent loneliness and strong feelings of isolation can have a profound negative impact on young people’s mental health. 

Loneliness is one of the top concerns reported by young people using spunout’s Text About It messaging service, while a recent report reveals that one-in-five young people aged between 12 and 34 are experiencing loneliness.

These findings are supported by a growing body of research. Just last month, the OECD reported that people aged 16 to 24 were found to be the most likely group in Ireland to report feeling “lonely most or all of the time”. spunout’s own research also found individuals in this age group are at a higher risk of feeling lonely.

This backs up findings from the 2023 EU Loneliness Survey, which ranked Ireland the loneliest country in Europe, with young people more at risk of loneliness than the elderly.

Loneliness among young people increases the risk of depression, anxiety, self-harm and suicidal ideation, and it also makes it more challenging for people to reach out for help when they need it most.

It is not surprising that feelings of loneliness are also linked to anxiety, sadness and stress. Many young people using Text About It discuss other emotions alongside their feelings of loneliness; one in three report both anxiety and loneliness, 32% sadness and loneliness, and 29% stress and loneliness.

It is clear that loneliness is having a profound impact on the mental health of young people in Ireland. Recent Unicef data found that Ireland’s adolescents are among the least happy in the developed world. While the latest Growing Up in Ireland survey found that a quarter of 25-year-olds had been diagnosed with depression or anxiety, an increase of 5% in five years.

Actively talking about the things that make us feel isolated allows us to understand that they are more common than we think.

We see ourselves in other people’s experiences and stories and this helps us to feel less alone.

We know loneliness is not an isolated issue; it is deeply intertwined with mental health and can often be an indicator that a young person is struggling.

By addressing loneliness early, we can help to prevent it escalating into more complex mental health challenges.

Without timely intervention, both the human and economic cost of loneliness will continue to rise.

However, there are meaningful steps that policymakers can take to tackle the youth loneliness epidemic that can foster connection, belonging and support in young people’s lives.

The first step towards tackling youth loneliness is by recognising it as the public health concern that it is. This should include the development of a national youth loneliness action plan with clear aims, resources, accountability and most importantly, youth input. This would ensure accountability and structure in the way that we approach the issue.

Schools, youth services and online spaces also have a role to play in tackling youth loneliness. Emotional literacy and help-seeking skills need to be embedded into these spaces so that young people can understand their emotions, reach out when they are struggling and build the kind of connections that protect against persistent loneliness.

It is also important that young adults who are not engaged in third level education are not excluded from accessing these kinds of supports, and that alternative pathways to social connection are created. This means creating opportunities for belonging in the everyday places young people already are such as their schools, youth services, online spaces and communities so that connection becomes part of their daily life and not an afterthought.

Most importantly, young people need to be at the centre of our conversations on youth loneliness. Their lived experiences provide us with a real understanding of the challenges they are facing and are essential to inform the design and delivery of prevention.

There is also a vital role for services like Text About It. Young people come to spunout because they know they will be met with empathy, compassion and understanding. They trust us not just because we are available 27/4, but because we listen without judging. We see how digital connection, done correctly, can provide support and hope when everything else feels out of reach. As one young person told us recently: “I felt so lonely and helpless at the start of the conversation, but being listened to helped me see that I’m not alone”

The antidote to loneliness is connection. In an age when it can feel like we are becoming more isolated and polarised, we must prioritise connection, particularly among young people.

Putting in place supports to tackle youth loneliness is not just about managing a short-term issue. It is an investment in young people’s mental health and in creating a generation that thrives together, not apart.

Sinéad Keane is CEO of spunout, Ireland’s youth information and support platform.