Build social connections

A fortnightly column about emotional well-being

- Sonali Gupta

25-year-old client says: "I'm told this is the best stage of my life, but it feels the loneliest. It's been weeks since anyone has checked in about how I'm doing and what I'm feeling. There is this longing for connection, wanting to sit and have a conversation with someone who cares about me. I feel deeply alone, the likes on social media, rapid bursts of text messages, none of them feel like connection."

This is a theme that regularly makes an appearance in therapy sessions. Clients across genders talk about it, though those in the 15-45 age group talk about it more. Those aged 15-32 mention a feeling of disconnection, isolation and a desire for intimacy and depth in relationships.

I have never in my career heard so many people talk about loneliness repeatedly in sessions. Earlier festivals and holidays seemed to be moments when clients would talk about how lonely they feel, but now it seems to be the background against which a lot of young people's lives are playing out.