In this episode of Perspectives, we explore the complex experience of loneliness, and how it’s growing and shifting in a modern landscape of digital platforms, working from home and a decline in our sense of community.

Host Colin Quick is joined by Priory experts Dee Johnson (Senior Therapist), Dr Victoria Chamorro (Consultant Psychiatrist), and Debbie Longsdale (Clinical Pathways Director) to discuss why we feel lonely, how modern life has changed our ability to connect, and what loneliness really means for our mental health.

Together, they explore:

• The difference between loneliness and isolation
• Why parasocial and online connections don’t replace in-person contact
• How loneliness affects different groups, including men, neurodivergent people, and older adults
• The impact of remote working, imposter syndrome and social media
• Practical steps for reconnecting – for yourself or someone you care about

This is an unfiltered conversation about a growing epidemic. The panel dig into the realities of modern life – how we’ve lost the art of connection, why community spaces are vanishing, and answers audience questions on how this relates to neurodiversity.

LINKS TO SOURCES:

ONS data on loneliness: Public opinions and social trends, Great Britain – Office for National Statistics

WHO declares loneliness a global health threat: WHO declares loneliness a ‘global public health concern’ | Global development | The Guardian

Onward report into young people’s loneliness: Age of Alienation: Young people are facing a loneliness epidemic | Onward

State of American Men 2023: equimundo.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/STATE-OF-AMERICAN-MEN-2023.pdf

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Looking after your mental health should be high on everyone’s priority list. At Priory, we strive to help everyone take control of their mental health, building a brighter future for themselves and those around them. For more insight, explainers and, advice on managing your mental health, head to the Priory blog: https://www.priorygroup.com/blog

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This video is designed to be informational, but its content is not a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you or a loved one are experiencing difficulties with your mental health, please contact a medical professional or a licensed mental health provider for tailored advice for you.

If you or a loved one are in crisis and need immediate support, call 999 or attend your nearest A&E department. For information on relevant crisis support lines, visit https://www.priorygroup.com/crisis-support

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Priory is the leading independent provider of mental healthcare and adult social care in the UK. We have two divisions, which together support the needs of over 35,000 people every year. We currently treat more than 70 different conditions through a nationwide network of over 300 facilities.

Our purpose is to empower each person in our care to take steps towards a healthy future and live their lives as positively and independently as possible.

For more information on how Priory can help you, head to our website or call us:

https://www.priorygroup.com/

0330 056 6023