If you need someone to talk to, friends and family are one option.
Online forums, support groups, therapists, clubs, hotlines, and religious organizations can also be helpful.
“Having open conversations with others is invaluable for mental health.
Verywell / Bailey Mariner
Such isolation can have devastating consequences on both mental and physical health.
According to a report by the U.S. ## At a Glance
Need to talk to someone but not sure where to start?
There are a variety of reasons you might think, “I need someone to talk to.”
Trying to bury your feelings, grit your teeth, and go it alone is rarely effective.
Your emotions and feelings are there whether you talk about them or not.
Difficult emotions will not simply go away just because you ignore them.
Stress Relief and Friendship Building
Consequently, talking to another personrelieves stressand helpsbuild friendshipsand connections.
Talking things over with other people also aids indecision-makingand provides an avenue to process your thoughts and feelings.
Talking also exposes you to new perspectives and ideas and helps withproblem-solving.
In fact, there are a number of powerful psychological benefits to talking.
“We all need a shoulder to lean on during challenging times.
Having a trusted individual to confide in provides much-needed emotional support.
Such suggestions can be invaluable, aiding people in navigating difficult situations.
Friends and other supportive people can help in this regard, as can working with a mental health professional.
Sometimes, they allow work or family obligations to get in the way of any real connection with others.
Before long, they feel lonely and isolated and don’t have anyone to talk to.
It is becoming increasingly common for people to report having few friends.
One report found that 27% of millennial-aged adults report having no close friends.
Here are some ways you’re able to find someone to talk to.
Then, take a stab at determine who on your list is not onlyemotionally intelligentbut also emotionally skilled.
Typically, people with these skills tend to be much easier to talk to because they areempathetic.
It’s important to note that you may have to take it slow with newer relationships.
You may not be able to talk about your deepest feelings right from the start of a new friendship.
Sometimes people really appreciate the immediacy of an online forum or chat.
Plus, communicating online can help take away any apprehension and help people withsocial anxietyrelax and share.
Neal recommends reaching out to local support groups and community organizations that are focused on specific mental health concerns.
Taking that first step to connect with them could open up a whole new world of support and companionship.
Consider Online Therapy or Therapy Apps
You may also want to check outonline therapyproviders.
In addition to being more conducive to busy schedules, these options are sometimes more affordable.
Neal also suggests trying online counseling options or therapy apps.
Such platforms offer a convenient and accessible way to get professional help.
Digital self-care tools you might find helpful includeCalm,myStrength, orGinger.
Find out which option is the best for you.
Contact a Hotline
If you are in crisis, it’s important to get help right away.
For this reason, never hesitate to call a hotline.
Regardless of your need, there are crisis lines with trained advocates to help you.
Many times, they will listen and chat with you for as long as you need.
If you are having suicidal thoughts, contact theNational Suicide Prevention Lifelineat988for support and assistance from a trained counselor.
If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call 911.
For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.
Often, religious leaders are more than happy to talk with people in crisis or in need.
So, you may want to look to your local church or synagogue as a possible resource.
Coping With Obstacles
It’s not uncommon to feel like you have no one to talk to.
Trust us, we all feel that way sometimes.
The thing is, we don’t even have to be alone to feel lonely.
Finding people to talk to, however, can help reducemental health stigma.
Try reconnecting with people you already know by texting or calling to chat or ask how they’ve been.
Initiating a connection can lead to more contact and a rekindling of a close interpersonal relationship.
In time, feeling like you have no one to talk with will seem like a distant memory.
We all feel alone from time to time.
When you feel that way, remember that there are people out there who can help.
Hotlines are also an option if you need someone to talk to right now.
Remember, you’re not alone.
Surgeon General.Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation, 2023.
Milek A, Butler EA, Tackman AM, et al.
2016;113(3):578-583. doi:10.1073/pnas.1511085112
National Institute of Health.Do social ties affect our health?.
Cox DA.The state of American friendship: Change, challenges, and loss.
Survey Center on American Life.
Pendry LF, Salvatore J.Individual and social benefits of online discussion forums.Computers in Human Behavior.
2017;88(5S):5-12. doi:10.23750/abm.v88i5-S.6870
Hastings OP.Not a lonely crowd?
Social connectedness, religious service attendance, and the spiritual but not religious.Soc Sci Res.
