On the bumpy road to adulthood, many teens may have problem relating to people around them, causing them to feel lonely and sad. Feeling isolated and excluded from friends and family is something that affects nearly all teens at some point in their lives. If this feeling continues, it can greatly affect relationships with others later on in life.

What causes feelings of loneliness?

Being bullied at school
Divorce or conflict in the home
Moving to a new home or school
Losing a friend
Death of a pet, close friend or family member
Coping with a serious illness
Depression
Being rejected by peers
Lack of social skills and interactions

What are some signs of loneliness?

Overly shy or self- conscious
Few or no friends
Not interested in activities that most teens enjoy
Frequently sad, withdrawn, or anxious
Favor online relationships rather than face-to-face interaction

What are the consequences of loneliness?

Poor self-esteem
Higher risk of experimenting with drugs, alcohol and tobacco
Difficulty forming healthy relationships as an adult

Ways to overcome loneliness

Talk about your feelings with another person
Seek help from a trusted adult (parent, relative, teacher, pastor, doctor) and talk openly about why you feel lonely
If you are being bullied or teased at school, let your principal or teacher know so that they can do something to stop it.
If you need help in improving your skills on how to make friends or overcome your shyness, your school counselor or a mental health specialist can help.
If you seek support on the Internet, always protect yourself by never sharing your personal information online.