Understanding loneliness: a common mental health struggle for parents and kids

SHARED ISOLATION

- VUYILE MADWANTSI

AS WE REFLECT on World Mental Health Day, understanding and addressing childhood trauma is crucial for building a healthier, more compassionate society.

(Pexels)

WHEN it comes to mental health, parents and kids often find themselves at odds over what matters most.

But a groundbreaking survey reveals one powerful insight they both agree on: loneliness is the biggest mental health challenge young people face today.

The Intergenerational Stressors Study surveyed 1 000 parent and child pairs in the US and found that both groups agree: loneliness is the top emotional issue for young people.

This problem is not limited to the US; families around the world are facing the same challenge.

Parents and kids may not always agree, but their shared concern about loneliness shows that families, schools, and communities need to help people connect more deeply. Let's look at how loneliness affects both groups, why it is so common, and what we can do to help.

The World Health Organization (WHO) recently named loneliness a global public health concern, placing it alongside issues like obesity and smoking due to its long-term impact on both physical and mental health.