About this guide
Frequently asked questions
Short, plain answers to common questions about loneliness, getting help, making connections and this guide, with links to the full pages.
Do this first
Look through the topics below, or type a few words in the box to find a question. If you are thinking about suicide or are in danger, call or text 988 in the U.S., or see crisis lines.
48 questions.
About this guide
Who writes this guide, and why is it free?
Feeling Alone is an independent project published by Harimedia LLC. It is free because anyone who feels alone should be able to find good, practical information without paying, signing up or being tracked. There are no ads, no sponsors and no affiliate links.
Is this medical or mental health advice?
No. This is general information, carefully researched from reliable sources, but it is not medical, psychological or legal advice, and it can't know your whole situation. If you are struggling, a doctor, counselor or talk line can help with your own circumstances.
Do I need to sign up or give my name?
No. There are no accounts, and the site never asks for your name, email or anything else. You can use every page and every tool anonymously.
How up to date is the information?
Every statistic carries the date it applies to and a link to its source: tap the figure to see them. Phone lines, apps and websites are checked at least once a year. "Last reviewed" at the bottom of a page is the date that whole page was last read through and checked.
I found a mistake. How do I report it?
Please write to contact@feelingalone.org. Tell us which page and what looks wrong; a link to a source helps a lot.
Privacy and your saved information
Do you collect or see anything I type?
No. There are no accounts, no analytics, no cookies and no tracking scripts. What you type into the tools is saved only in your own browser. It is never sent to this website or to anyone else, because the website has no database to send it to.
Where is my information saved, and who can see it?
It is saved in your browser's own storage, on the device you are using. Anyone who uses the same device and browser profile could open the tools and see it, unless you turn on a passphrase. It does not follow you to other devices.
What happens if I clear my browser or change phones?
Clearing your browser's history or "site data" for this website deletes what you saved. A new phone or computer starts empty. To keep your information, download a backup file first, then restore it on the new device.
How do I back up my information or move it to another device?
Go to My data and download a backup file. Keep it somewhere safe, like your own computer or a USB drive. On another device, open My data and restore from that file. You can protect the backup with a passphrase.
What does the passphrase protection do, and what if I forget it?
A passphrase scrambles (encrypts) everything you save, and your backup files, so no one can read them without it. The encryption happens on your device. If you forget the passphrase, no one can recover the information, including us. You would need to erase it and start again, or use an older backup you can open.
Does the site work without internet?
Yes. After your first visit, the pages and tools keep working without internet. You can also add the site to your phone's home screen from your browser's menu.
Will anyone know I visited or what I answered?
Your answers never leave your device, and the site doesn't track visits. Your browser's history will show the pages you opened, like any website. If you share a device, use a private or incognito window, or turn on a passphrase in My data.
About loneliness
Is it normal to feel lonely?
Yes. Loneliness is a normal human signal, like hunger or thirst. It tells you that you need more connection than you have right now. The World Health Organization estimates that People worldwide affected by loneliness (WHO Commission on Social Connection, 2025)As of June 30, 2025.From the WHO Commission on Social Connection's report "From loneliness to social connection" (June 2025).Source: WHO news release: Social connection linked to improved health and reduced risk of early death people worldwide are affected by it. Feeling lonely doesn't mean something is wrong with you.
What is the difference between being alone and feeling lonely?
Being alone is a fact: no one else is around. Feeling lonely is a painful feeling that your connections aren't what you need. You can be alone and content, or surrounded by people and still feel lonely. Many people enjoy time alone; what hurts is the gap between the connection you want and the connection you have.
Can I feel lonely even with family, a partner or lots of friends?
Yes, and it's common. Loneliness is about how close and understood you feel, not how many people are around you. You can feel alone in a marriage, a busy family or a crowded office. It often helps to work on one or two deeper connections rather than more contacts.
Is loneliness bad for my health?
Research suggests it can be. Studies link loneliness and isolation with higher risks of heart disease, stroke, depression, anxiety and dementia, and with dying earlier. A large review of 148 studies found that people with stronger social ties had Higher likelihood of survival with stronger social relationships (Holt-Lunstad et al., 2010)As of July 27, 2010.Pooled result of 148 studies with 308,849 people. The studies show a link; they cannot prove cause and effect.Source: Holt-Lunstad, Smith & Layton: Social Relationships and Mortality Risk, a Meta-analytic Review (PLOS Medicine, 2010) higher odds of survival. These studies show links, not proof that loneliness alone causes these problems.
Why do I feel lonely when nothing has really changed?
Loneliness doesn't always have a clear cause. It can build slowly as friends get busy, routines change or you drift from people. It can also come with depression, stress, tiredness or a big life stage, like a birthday or a holiday. It's still real, and the same small steps can help.
Why is it so hard to reach out when I feel lonely?
Loneliness can make your mind more alert to rejection. You may expect people to say no, read neutral faces as unfriendly, or hold back to protect yourself. That can keep you alone even when you want company. Knowing this trap exists makes it easier to step around it, one small step at a time.
Is loneliness my fault?
No. Loneliness often follows things outside your control: a move, a loss, illness, money worries, a new job or how communities are built. It is not a sign of weakness or of being unlikable. You can still take small steps to feel better, but needing people is part of being human.
Getting help
I need to talk to someone right now. Who can I call?
In the U.S. or Canada, call or text 988, any time. In the U.S. you can also text HOME to 741741. If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 911 or your local emergency number. Outside North America, findahelpline.com (opens in a new tab) lists free lines for your country.
Can I call a crisis line just because I feel lonely?
Yes. You don't have to be suicidal or "bad enough". The 988 Lifeline lists loneliness among the reasons people reach out. If you'd rather talk to someone outside a crisis service, try a warmline or a friendship line.
What is a warmline?
A warmline is a free line for when you're struggling but not in danger. Many are answered by peers who have lived with mental health challenges themselves. Hours and who can call vary, so check the line's website first. NAMI keeps a directory of U.S. warmlines by state.
Is there a line just for older adults?
Yes. In the U.S., the Institute on Aging's Friendship Line is free and open day and night at 1-888-670-1360, for people 60 and over, adults with disabilities and caregivers. In the UK, The Silver Line (run by Age UK) is free and open day and night at 0800 4 70 80 90 for anyone 55 and over.
Will a crisis line call the police or track me?
The 988 Lifeline says it is free and confidential. The counselor will ask whether you are safe right now, then listen and talk things through with you. Its website has a page on confidentiality that explains when emergency help might be involved. If you're worried, you can read it first, or ask the counselor how it works before you share details.
Should I see a doctor or therapist about loneliness?
It can help, especially if you also feel low, anxious, can't sleep, or have felt this way for weeks. A doctor can check for other causes and tell you what's available locally. In some countries, such as England, your doctor's practice can connect you to community groups through social prescribing. Low-cost and free options exist too.
I live outside the U.S. Where do I start?
Start with findahelpline.com (opens in a new tab), which lists verified free lines in more than 175 countries. Our international page lists the main lines in Canada, the UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand and India. In an emergency, call your local emergency number.
Making connections
Where do I start if I have no one?
Start very small. Say hello to one neighbor, chat with a cashier, or call one old friend. Then pick one place you can go back to every week, like a library group, a class or a place of worship. Seeing the same faces again and again is how most friendships begin.
How do adults make new friends?
Mostly through repeated time together: a class, a team, a club, a volunteer shift, a job. Research suggests it takes many hours together to go from acquaintance to friend, so be patient. Suggest something specific, like coffee after the group, and follow up.
I'm shy or anxious. How can I connect?
Choose activities where there's something to do besides talk, like walking groups, crafts, games or volunteering. Arrive a little early, when rooms are quieter. Prepare one or two simple questions. If anxiety stops you from doing things you want to do, talking to a doctor or therapist can help.
Are friendship apps and online groups worth trying?
They can be, especially if you live far from others, can't get out easily, or have a niche interest. They work best as a bridge to regular contact, by video or in person, rather than endless scrolling. Never send money to someone you've only met online.
Does volunteering really help with loneliness?
Many people find it does. It gives you a reason to go out, a role, regular faces and something to talk about. Helping others can also lift your mood. Pick something that fits your energy and schedule, even an hour a month.
Can I start my own group?
Yes, and it's simpler than it sounds. Pick one activity, one regular time and one place, then invite three people personally. A walking group, potluck, book club or game night is enough. Keep showing up, even when few people come at first.
What if I try and it doesn't work?
That's normal. Not every group or person will be a fit, and it often takes several tries. It doesn't mean something is wrong with you. Try a different time, place or activity, and be kind to yourself about each attempt.
Helping someone who feels alone
How can I tell if someone I know is lonely?
People rarely say it outright. You might notice them turning down invitations, going quiet, spending much more time alone or online, or seeming eager to keep talking when you call. A big change, like a move, loss, retirement or new baby, is also a reason to check in.
What should I say to a lonely friend?
Lead with wanting their company, not pity: "I miss our talks. Want to get coffee Thursday?" Make it specific and easy to say no to, then ask again later. When they open up, listen more than you advise. Avoid "just get out more".
How can I help a lonely older parent or relative?
Set up a regular weekly call, share check-ins with other relatives, and help them find a senior center or friendly-visitor program. Check whether hearing loss is making conversation hard. In the U.S., the Friendship Line (1-888-670-1360) is free and open day and night for people 60 and over.
My child seems to have no friends. What can I do?
Talk side by side, in the car or on a walk, and mostly listen. Help them find small, regular activities that match their interests, and talk to the school counselor. Watch for bullying, and get help if sadness or withdrawal lasts more than two weeks.
When should I worry that it's more than loneliness?
Watch for hopelessness, big changes in sleep or eating that last weeks, pulling away from almost everyone, drinking more, or talk about death or being a burden. If you're worried, ask directly whether they are thinking about suicide. In the U.S., call or text 988 together; in immediate danger, call 911.
How can my workplace, school or congregation help?
Small, regular habits work best: welcome buddies for newcomers, a weekly shared meal or coffee, groups built around shared activities, and someone who notices who's missing. Keep events free, accessible and optional.
How do I look after myself while helping someone?
You don't have to be their only person. Help them build other connections, set limits you can keep, and talk to someone about how you're doing. If you start to feel alone yourself, this guide is for you too.
Supporting this guide
Is Feeling Alone a charity? Are contributions tax-deductible?
No, and no. An independent project of Harimedia LLC, not a registered charity. Contributions are not tax-deductible. If you contribute, please keep PayPal's receipt for your own records.
Who receives contributions, and what name will PayPal show?
Feeling Alone is an independent project published by Harimedia LLC.
PayPal's checkout page will show the name Harimedia LLC.
What are contributions used for?
They help pay for research and writing time, for checking every figure, phone line, app and website at least once a year, and for the website's domain name and hosting.
Do I have to pay or contribute to use anything?
No, never. Every page and every tool is free for everyone, whether or not they contribute. There are no paywalls, no "premium" features and no ads.
Can I contribute monthly? Can I pay by card without a PayPal account?
You can pay on PayPal's page with a PayPal account, or with a debit or credit card without one. To give every month, tick "Make this a recurring donation" on PayPal's page. You can change or stop it anytime in your PayPal account settings (under automatic payments).
How else can I help, without money?
Share the guide with someone who might be feeling alone. Tell a counselor, teacher, librarian, clergy member or support group about it. And please report any mistake or outdated fact you find.
Last reviewed: October 9, 2026