The Power of Connection: Tackling Youth Loneliness and Mental Health
According to a recent report, loneliness amongst young people is high and rising, and has a negative impact on mental and physical health (Morgan et al., 2024)
Youth mental health and loneliness are strongly connected, with each affecting the other—and both are becoming more common. For young people, juggling social pressures, evolving self-identity, and a growing reliance on digital communication, in-person social interactions can feel overwhelming (Goossens, 2018). Did you know that globally, one in six students report feeling lonely at school? This isn’t just a temporary feeling. It’s a growing challenge that impacts mental health, friendships, and success later in life (OECD, 2019).
Why Does Connection Matter?
Human connection is like a superpower for our mental health. Research shows that having someone to lean on—whether it’s a friend, family member, or even classmate —can help protect against depression, anxiety, and feeling isolated (Jose & Viner, 2012). Interestingly, just being able to confide in someone is one of the strongest protective factors against depression (Choi et al., 2020). The flip side? Many young people struggle with expressing distress or seeking help because of stigma or fears of being judged.
What Can We Do to Help?
The more social connections a young person has, the more people they have to go to when things are not going well. Helping young people to make friends and expand their networks gives them more opportunities to build friendships. Practical things we can do to facilitate this include:
encouraging and supporting them to get involved in sports and other extra-curricular groups
supporting them to engage in part-time work
organising gatherings to socialise in person at school, at home, and in the community
encouraging them to volunteer
encourage hobbies and interests including getting involved with local groups
provide a supportive environment to facilitate non-judgemental conversations about loneliness, social experiences and challenges
talk about mental health challenges and self-care actions to make it part of everyday conversations
increase awareness and confidence to engage in conversations about mental health
Programmes like Teen Mental Health First Aid equip whole groups of young people with the skills to recognise mental health challenges, improve overall awareness, and develop peer support skills. It’s a fantastic way to empower teens to connect and help one another in a structured, informed way (Mental Health First Aid International).
Source: Mental Health First Aid International, accessed 12 April 2025 https://mhfa.my.site.com/MHFA/s/resources/teen-mhfa
On the other hand, the Youth Mental Health First Aid course is specifically designed for adults—parents, teachers, carers, and anyone working with young people. This evidence-based programme equips adults with the confidence and skills to spot mental health challenges early, provide informed support, and help young people connect to professional resources sooner. Together, these programmes increase social connection and create a stronger safety net for young people.
Source: Mental Health First Aid International, accessed 12 April 2025 https://mhfa.my.site.com/MHFA/s/resources/youth-mhfa
The Role of Schools and Community Groups
Schools and community groups play a massive role in supporting youth mental health. Building positive and inclusive environments where young people feel seen and valued can significantly reduce loneliness and mental health risks (Hinze et al., 2024). Organisation and school-wide approaches that prioritise mental health and wellbeing through increased social connection and peer-to-peer support programmes make a huge difference in breaking down stigma and encouraging open conversations about health and wellbeing.
Hanging out with peers becomes increasingly important for teens as they transition into high school and beyond.
What’s Your Next Step?
Whether it’s organising for young people to participate in Teen Mental Health First Aid to develop peer support skills, or improving your own knowledge and confidence by completing Youth Mental Health First Aid, your actions can create ripples of positive change. Visit the Mental Health First Aid Australia website to find out more. If you’re in Tasmania, you can also reach out to NextGen Mental Health Tasmania to build skills that will support you to make a difference at home, in your school or within the community.
More information
Visit Orygen for more information about youth loneliness https://www.orygen.org.au/About/News-And-Events/2024/New-recommendations-to-tackle-growing-rates-of-lon
References
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. (2021a). Health of young people.
Choi, K. W., et al. (2020). UK biobank study on depression.
Firth, J., et al. (2020). Social support and peer connection.
Goossens, L. (2018). Evolution of social networks.
Hinze, S., et al. (2024). School climate and mental health risk.
Jose, P. E., & Viner, R. M. (2012). Protective factors for youth mental health.
Mental Health First Aid Australia. (2025). Teen Mental Health First Aid and Youth Mental Health First Aid.
Mission Australia & Black Dog Institute. (2017). Youth Mental Health Report.
Morgan, R., Filia, K., Lim, M.H., & Baker, D. Young people and loneliness. Orygen and Ending Loneliness Together. 2024
OECD. (2019). Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA).