Research carried out in 2022 by the Mental Health Foundation in Scotland found that:

• A quarter of adults in Scotland (25%) felt lonely some or all of the time over the previous month
• Four in ten adults in Scotland (38%) say they sometimes or often feel lonely in a group of people they know.
• More than half of adults in Scotland (51%) hide their feelings of loneliness from other people
• Almost one-third of adults in Scotland (31%) said feelings of loneliness have had a negative impact on their mental health
• One in three adults in Scotland (29%) said feelings of loneliness made them feel worried or anxious
• One in seven adults in Scotland (14%) said feelings of loneliness have led to suicidal thoughts and feelings.
  
  

Another UK study carried out in 2018 found that young people aged 16-24 were more likely than any other age group to feel lonely.

Isolation and loneliness are particularly common experiences among carers.  Information published by Carers UK in 2021 indicates that carers are seven times more likely than the general population to say they are always or often lonely.

Just as anyone can experience loneliness, so too, loneliness affects everyone differently. It can have an impact, not only on our mental health (resulting in increased feelings of anxiety and depression), but it can also affect our physical health. Age Scotland says that loneliness is as dangerous to a person’s health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day, and it doubles the risk of dementia.

The British Red Cross describes some of the symptoms of loneliness as feeling:

• A loss of confidence
• Tired
• Isolated and alone
• Trapped
• Without purpose
• Frustrated
• In the most extreme cases, loneliness can lead to thoughts of suicide and self-harm.