Loneliness is at epidemic level

To the editor:

There is a loneliness epidemic happening all around us. 

Here’s how you can fight it.

Did you know there are different types of loneliness:

1. New-situation loneliness

2. I’m different loneliness

3. No-sweetheart loneliness

4. No-animal loneliness

5. No-time-for-me loneliness

6. Untrustworthy friends loneliness

7. Quiet presence loneliness.

The definition of lonely is being without company.

Loneliness is being in distress or discomfort when someone perceives a gap between their own desires.

Regardless of the type of loneliness, the lonely person feels just that. Lonely.

Here are some things that you can do to make someone’s day better.

1. Just make small talk with them. Being sincere and present with face-to-face interactions will do wonders to make their day better as well as yours.

2. Smile and acknowledge people when you pass them. A smile and wave can go a long way to make someone’s day.

3. Get to know people who live alone. Introduce yourself and ask them if they would like to have a cup of coffee or just sit out on the porch and converse.

4. Check on your own relatives. This is a busy time of year for most people, but for those that have no one, it can be one of the worst times of the year for them.

Stephanie Patterson

Jay County Drug Prevention Coalition