But say a prayer,
pray for the other ones.
A little over six months ago, I was reflecting on the unpredictable period of events we were going through—the food shortages, lockdowns, demonstrations and the forced isolation from our communities. Building on this, I wrote an article to mark Loneliness Week, which highlighted the loneliness epidemic that was affecting the UK. Now, as we approach Christmas, many of us are hoping that we’ll be finally able to gather with our friends and family and have a proper celebration together without restrictions.
But for certain members of our community, restrictions or not, Christmas will be the loneliest time of the year. They will spend the day on their own and have no one to speak to. They may even have recently lost a parent, friend, child or partner. For some, this will be a time to reflect, to grieve, to pray for their lost ones.
Where you’re located can also be an important factor in how you feel. According to the Office for National Statistics, the areas with a higher concentration of younger people and areas with higher rates of unemployment tended to have higher rates of loneliness.
Interactive map: Loneliness rates by local authority
Choosing to be on your own at Christmas is not the same as being lonely. For those that have no choice but to be on their own during the holidays, this means that their mental and physical health will be adversely affected. Recent studies have underlined the public health risks of loneliness. For example:
- Weak social connection is as harmful to health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day.
- Loneliness and social isolation are associated with an increased risk of developing coronary heart disease and stroke.
- Loneliness is a risk factor for depression, cognitive decline and dementia.
If you feel lonely or are concerned for someone in your community, we have some useful tools and tips that may be of help. Please try some of the following:
- Visit the Let’s Talk Loneliness website.
- Explore loneliness resources from the British Red Cross.
-
Join the #LetsTalkLoneliness challenge on TikTok.
Check out videos from others and add your own with the hashtag! - Get in touch with one of the many helpful services available below!
- Get your local faith community to sign the Friendly Places pledge!
The Friendly Places pledge
Friendly Places is an initiative by FaithAction based on the principle that our mental health is just as important as our physical health. Like our bodies, our minds change and develop throughout our life. And, like our bodies, our minds can become unwell.
I believe that there is a significant and positive role for faith communities to play in the support of mental health.
I pledge to support faith groups in my community to become Friendly Places which welcome and support those struggling with their mental health.
Mental health problems are very common. They affect how people think and feel about themselves and others, how they interpret events, how they cope with life events and how they develop and sustain relationships. One in four of us is likely to visit our GP in connection with a mental health problem. Every faith community contains people who have experienced mental health problems, or their family and friends.
There is a significant and positive role for faith communities to play in the support of those with mental health problems – both within their own congregations and in the wider community. This stems from the position of faith groups as places of community, of meaning, and of connection.
By signing up to the Friendly Places pledge, a faith group makes a commitment to be a place which welcomes and supports those struggling with their mental health.
If you’d like to be a Friendly Place, you can sign up to the pledge on the FaithAction site. You’ll also find a summary of our tips for making your faith community more mental health friendly, as well as some extra advice for supporting mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Available services
For older people
Independent Age, provide befriending services.
Website | 0800 319 6789
Royal Voluntary Service, for help, advice and support.
Website | 0845 608 0122
The Silver Line, for information, advice, or just a chat.
Website | 0800 470 80 90
Friends of the Elderly, for year-round support.
Website | 0330 332 1110
Age UK, for support and advice.
Website | 0800 169 6565
Re-engage, provide befriending services.
Website | 0800 716 543
For young people
SupportLine, for emotional support.
Website | 01708 765 200
CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably), for support aimed at men.
Website | 0800 585858
The Mix, essential support for under-25s.
Website | 0808 808 4994
YoungMinds, 24/7 text support and helpline for parents.
Website | Text 85258 | Helpline: 0808 802 5544
Childline, one-to-one support.
Website | 0800 1111
General support
Samaritans, for someone to talk to.
Website | 116 123
Mind, mental health information and support.
Website | 0300 123 3393
Men’s Health Forum, support for men.
Website | 0330 097 0654
Cruse, bereavement support.
Website | 0808 808 1677
The Good Grief Trust, bereavement support.
Website
Family Lives, confidential support for families (England/Wales).
Website | 08080 800 2222
Children 1st, confidential support for families (Scotland).
Website | 08000 28 22 33
Sense, advice and support for disability and loneliness.
Website | 0300 330 9256
