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Loneliness can affect anyone, at any stage of life. This page shares what we’ve learned about loneliness and offers information, resources and practical ideas to help individuals and the community feel more connected.
Loneliness in the City of Rockingham
Loneliness is a growing concern, with one in three Australians feeling lonely. To learn more about how loneliness affects our community, we developed an evidence‑based survey and collected 714 responses over five months. The survey measured both how often people feel lonely and the average level of loneliness among residents.
Results indicated that feeling lonely is quite common, with one in two respondents reported feeling lonely at least sometimes.
Although the average loneliness score for the City of Rockingham was not considered high, nearly 20 per cent of residents experience a significantly high level of loneliness.
View the survey snapshot below.
Loneliness and young people
Young people aged 16–25 are experiencing increasing loneliness and disconnection, which is affecting their health and wellbeing. Contributing factors can include the pressure to maintain close friendships, cost‑of‑living stress, limited community spaces and major life changes.
Young people in Rockingham who are feeling lonely are encouraged to connect with others through the Rockingham Youth Centre, their local library, volunteering or joining a club.
The City has also produced a series of educational videos featuring local young people and Rockingham Youth Centre staff to help raise awareness and support young people who may be feeling lonely.
Loneliness in a digital world
Finding yourself spending more time scrolling than socialising?
A range of factors can lead to a young person feeling lonely, including the increased use of digital technologies in everyday life.
Things to know about loneliness
Loneliness can affect anyone.
Being alone is a physical state where people have less interaction with others. For some, being alone or socially isolated can lead to feelings of loneliness, while others may enjoy solitude.
Experiencing loneliness for long periods can negatively affect health and wellbeing. It’s important to know that loneliness doesn’t have to last, and there are many things you can do for yourself and others.
The reasons people feel lonely can vary. We can’t always change the life events that trigger loneliness, but by providing educational resources and tools, we hope to help people through these periods.
Loneliness is an uncomfortable but important feeling that signals we crave more meaningful relationships. It often appears when people have thoughts or feelings they wish to share but feel there is no one to share them with.
Everyone's experience of loneliness is different. It can be triggered by events such as:
- friends of family moving further away
- loss of a loved one
- relationship breakdown
- moving house, job or school
- loss of work.
Understanding the type of loneliness you or someone else is experiencing can help in addressing it.
Social loneliness
Having a small or non‑existent social network, including limited family, friends or community connections.
Emotional loneliness
Lacking close, meaningful or emotionally significant relationships, even within a large social network.
People who feel lonely may say things like:
- “No one understands me.”
- “There is nobody I can talk to.”
- “I can’t just be myself.”
- “I think I’m too different.”
- “Why don’t people like me?”
It's also important to observe behaviour. Signs may include:
- avoiding rejection by withdrawing from others
- limited eye contact
- being less engaged in conversations.
Remember that everyone experiences things differently and even if they demonstrate everything on this list, they might not be lonely.
What is loneliness?
Loneliness is a signal that we need to connect with other people.
Things to do if you feel lonely
Most people feel lonely at some point in their lives. If you're feeling lonely, remember you are not alone. Loneliness doesn't have to last forever, and small steps can make a big difference.
In addition to the information on this page, further resources are available through Loneliness Awareness Week.
Get outdoors and connect with nature. Try kicking off your shoes and walking on the grass. There are many wonderful parks and beaches throughout the City, so there is sure to be something nearby.
Taking part in regular physical activity can help improve mental and physical health as well as being a great way to meet people. It could be something as simple as regular daily walks or participating in a social sport or hobby with others.
Other things you can try include joining a club or group, getting to know your neighbours or checking out what's happening at your local library.
Changing the way we think can help with managing uncomfortable feelings.
You might want to try practising mindfulness. Be aware of what you are sensing and feeling in the moment. There are many ways to practice and many resources available, including:
Things that have worked for some people may not work for everyone. Listen to yourself and acknowledge what works for you.
Meaningful relationships
Meaningful relationships with friends, neighbours, colleagues, loved ones or your wider community can foster happiness, security and belonging.
Feeling lonely is not always about the number of relationships you have. It can also be a sign that your relationships are not as deep or meaningful as you need.
Connection is key
Loneliness isn't always about how many relationships we have, but the quality of those relationships.
While it looks different for everyone, meaningful relationships often include:
- feeling joy and excitement when you spend time together
- being able to truly be yourself
- making time for and having interest in the other person and feeling they do the same for you
- open communication
- a sense of trust and respect
- sharing similar values.
Be yourself
It's important to be your authentic self and not who you think someone wants you to be. Trust and honesty are central pillars of a meaningful relationship.
You should be honest about who you are and trust others can accept that. You don't have to agree on everything or share the same interests to build meaningful relationships. Sometimes it's our differences that make our relationships with others exciting and meaningful.
Communicate
All relationships have disagreements and that's ok. What matters is how you talk and listen to each other. Exchanging thoughts, feelings and ideas with people around us can help build meaningful relationships. Listening to understand, rather than to just respond, strengthens relationships.
Be fair
Meaningful relationships should be fair in meeting both people's needs and expectations. There needs to be give and take and consideration for each other. A healthy relationship should have commitment and a willingness to be more accommodating to each other's needs.
Make time
Quality time provides space for meaningful relationships to develop and strengthen. It may seem difficult to juggle quality time with all the other responsibilities of life, but it's not impossible. It doesn't really matter what you spend time doing with someone, as long as you are both committed to giving each other attention.
Nurture current relationships
You don't have to make new friends or meet new people to feel less lonely. You can strengthen existing relationships to make them more meaningful to you. This could be with old friends or new acquaintances you would like to spend more time with. Make time to check in and see people you know.
Reflect on the relationships that work best in your life, what qualities these relationships have and how you can bring these qualities into other relationships.
How you can help
There are some simple things you can do to help someone who might be feeling lonely. Learning about loneliness, starting conversations and including people is a great place to start.
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