Fresh findings also reveal 63% suppress feelings to avoid shame.
- More than one in ten Brits are treated on the NHS for their loneliness symptoms.
- Nearly 1 in 5 are too ashamed to admit their loneliness, 63% keep their feelings hidden.
- Around 15% blame living with parents or people they don’t get along with.
- 1 in 5 say that their loneliness further heightens their depression, anxiety, and worry.
New research reveals that mental health challenges and anxiety are the leading causes of loneliness in Britain, with one in five people saying these issues are at the root of their detachment.
Of the 3,000 UK residents surveyed by COHO, a shared living platform matching tenants on common interests, 57% of Brits feel lonely at least once a week or more, with over one in ten being treated on the NHS for their loneliness symptoms – placing additional strain on already stretched services.
Twenty percent of respondents in the COHO UK Loneliness Report say feeling lonely leads to even greater levels of anxiety, worry and depression – which is highest among 36 to 45 year-olds – compounding their mental health struggles further. While nearly a quarter are left feeling hopeless, empty, sad and unloved.
50-year-old Suzann Robins, a relationship coach, says loneliness crept steadily into her life after several years living alone, impacting her mental health, before then moving to shared living accommodation about a year ago.
“Most of the time I would consider loneliness as a silent friend when living by myself, but it ends up troubling you. Not in loud, blatant ways; more like a slow leak. I stopped reaching out to people. My mind seemed to weigh more. Everything seemed to be somewhat grey. It was like vanishing in plain sight.”
Professor Andrea Wigfield, Director of the Campaign to End Loneliness and Centre for Loneliness Studies at Sheffield Hallam University explains: “COHO’s findings fall in line with other research which has been carried out nationally and internationally. We know that there is a cyclical link between mental health and loneliness. Conditions such as anxiety and depression mean that individuals are less likely to leave the house, meet other people, and engage in social interaction which can heighten their feelings of loneliness. At the same time loneliness itself can lead to mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, lack of sleep, and loss of hope”.
Loneliness and living conditions
The fresh findings from COHO also highlight a strong link between people’s living situation and their sense of disconnection. Around 15% of Brits say living with parents or with people they don’t get along with is a major factor behind feeling alone. One in ten of the 21% who live with their parents say that this living arrangement cramps their love life, while one in five of all respondents would consider living in an HMO or shared house to reduce their loneliness.
But it’s important for renters to have a shared living space. Of the 18% that house share, one in ten are left isolated with no communal living space to connect with housemates.
Suzann continues: “I moved to shared living accommodation to help combat loneliness.
Shared spaces create opportunities for little interactions that can help mend the parts of ourselves that isolation has worn down.
“I’m now smiling more. Even the awful days seem less vivid – some of the best moments in your day can come, for example, from a late-night encounter with someone over a bowl of cereal. There’s the benefit of saving money but it’s also about the laughter, the unexpected bits of advice, those spontaneous dinners, and having someone there to lend a hand when your Wi-Fi decides to bail.
“What’s also great is you don’t lose your independence; instead, you gain a fresh perspective.
There’s something truly special about it all.”
Vann Vogstad, CEO of COHO adds: “Loneliness isn’t just an emotional challenge, it’s a public health crisis. Research, including Harvard’s landmark Adult Development Study, shows that strong relationships are the single most powerful predictor of long-term wellbeing and longevity, far outweighing wealth or status. Chronic social loneliness carries health risks comparable to obesity or smoking 15 cigarettes a day.
“Shared living, when done right, can be part of the solution to today’s biggest challenges: the housing crisis and the loneliness epidemic. But compatibility is key. As our own findings show, living with people you don’t connect with can make you feel even more withdrawn.
“Co-living isn’t a fallback when you can’t afford your own place, it can be one of the most exciting, fulfilling ways to live. By designing spaces and communities that foster genuine connection, we can help turn loneliness into belonging.”
Professor Wigfield agrees: “There are various ways in which loneliness and mental ill-health can be remedied and often it’s not just about treating the individual but about making societal level changes. The kinds of housing we live in is an influencing factor in our feelings of loneliness. Our own research demonstrates that shared housing and living spaces can have a positive impact on loneliness and well-being, as well as offering cost savings.”
The Silent Struggle
Yet, despite the emotional challenges it brings, loneliness remains a private struggle for many. A significant 63% hide their feelings of being lonely from others and a third are too ashamed or embarrassed to speak about it. While some are turning to the NHS for support, 25% have never sought any professional help for their symptoms caused by their loneliness – which is higher (29%) among those aged 60 and over.
Professor Wigfield explains that the link between loneliness and mental health conditions is due to neurological changes in the brain: “Loneliness is a normal human emotion and is simply a trigger to encourage us to reach out to connect with others. However, if loneliness persists for a long time and occurs often, it becomes a chronic condition.”
