Nearly half of Hilversum residents feel lonely at times. One in seven even feels very lonely. Not everyone who feels lonely dares to share it with someone else. This makes it difficult to know if someone is feeling lonely. However, you can help someone else.
What do you need to know
Signs of loneliness
- There are several signs that someone may be feeling lonely. If you see any of the signs below, discuss them and ask how they're doing.
- Physical signs such as fatigue, headache and loss of appetite
- Social cues, such as few social contacts or lack of social support
- Psychological signals, such as a negative self-image, loss of trust in other people or a feeling of meaninglessness and hopelessness.
Loneliness can also be caused by major changes in someone's life, for example:
- A divorce
- A moving
- Death of a loved one
- Illness or disability (of a loved one)
- The loss of a job
- Money problems
What can you do
- Ask how someone is feeling without bringing up loneliness
- Listen to someone without judging or giving advice
- Do a fun activity together. For example, visit someone, have a cup of coffee together, or take a walk.
- follow the online training of Humanitas to learn more about loneliness, its consequences and what you can do to help someone.
Advice Point Loneliness
Are you worried about someone who is lonely and unsure what to do? The Loneliness Advice Center is happy to help.
- The advice point can be reached on working days from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm via (035) 303 43 00 or mail to advicepointloneliness@versawelzijn.nl
