Loneliness: Finding our connections to feel less lonely – school pack

It's important to support young people in recognising when they feel lonely, understanding their thoughts and feelings, and identifying their supportive connections. 

This school pack provide the materials and resources needed to support pupils to understand: 

  • what loneliness is and how it can make us feel, 
  • what we can do to reduce feelings of loneliness; and  
  • where to find support. 

The resources in this pack were developed with pupils and staff who participated in our Peer Education Project (PEP). PEP is a mental health, school-based project that aims to improve the mental health literacy of pupils. The project is freely available to any UK and international school.   

The pack is designed to be used in secondary schools, but it also has lots of useful information for primary schools.  

The pack includes:

  • A lesson plan with PowerPoint slides and worksheets, that support pupils to explore the topic of loneliness in more depth. 
  • An assembly plan with PowerPoint slides and posters to support the development of a whole-school approach to reducing feelings of loneliness. 
  • Helpful guides for pupils, school staff, and caregivers on supporting ourselves and others with feelings of loneliness.  

Download the pack

This pack is available for all schools free of charge.
Download
Loneliness: finding connections to feel less lonely (3)

Loneliness research

Finding our connections to ourselves, others, and the world around us, is fundamental to protecting our mental health and reducing feelings of loneliness.

Loneliness is when we feel we do not have the meaningful relationships we want around us. It's something we can all experience from time to time, throughout our lives, and will be different for everyone.

A YouGov poll (2019) of 13 to 19-year-olds found 69% said they felt alone “often” or “sometimes” in the last fortnight, and 59% feel like they “often” or “sometimes have no one to talk to”.

Our Loneliness research

 

If you need support

Support for children and young people

The Mix – a UK-based charity that provides free, confidential support for young people under 25. Young people can get support from the trained team, either by phone, webchat, or email

Shout 85258 – a free, confidential, 24/7 text-messaging support service.

Samaritans – a UK-based charity that provides free support anytime, from any phone. Call free on 116 123 or email [email protected] .

Support for school staff

Education Support – Education Support provides mental health and wellbeing support to teachers and education staff in schools, colleges and universities. Call free on 08000 562 561 to speak to a qualified counsellor. They will offer you immediate, confidential emotional support.

Support for parents and caregivers

Young Mind’s Parent Helpline and Webchat provides advice and support for parents and caregivers who are worried about a child or young person.

Peer Education Project (PEP) overview

Find out more about the Peer Education Project.

Read more

Peer Education Project (PEP) guidance

Get guidance and support for the Peer Education Project.

Read more

Mental health resources

Get mental health resources for young people, including more school packs.

Resources

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