The Connection Cure: Why Belonging Matters for Mental Health

We often think about health in terms of what we eat, how much we move, how well we sleep and manage stress. These are all incredibly important factors in maintaining our health and wellbeing. But another powerful ingredient that is easy to overlook is connection.

While quality and quantity of connections vary considerably, the fact stands that human beings are wired for relationships. From an evolutionary perspective, we need people to talk to, laugh with, lean on and feel seen by in order to flourish. Flourishing is a broader state of wellbeing that includes a sense of meaning and belonging, with connection being a core part of this. Close social relationships and connection should be considered as essential rather than optional extras. Whether it is family, friends, colleagues, neighbours, community groups or a trusted support network, meaningful connection helps us feel grounded.

When that connection is missing, the effects can run deeper than the feeling we may have after one quiet weekend or an empty calendar. Loneliness and social isolation are now recognised as important public health issues, with real consequences for mental and physical wellbeing.

Loneliness Is More Than Being Alone

Loneliness and social isolation are related, but they are not the same. Social isolation refers to having few social relationships, limited social roles or infrequent contact with others. A personal can be isolated but not feel lonely. The experience of being alone and of feeling lonely are also not the same thing. Being alone is an objective state, hence the description of someone who “lives alone”. Conversely,  loneliness, or feeling lonely, is more personal and can be described as a subjective feeling or experience of disconnection from others. It is the distressing feeling that comes from not having the connection, closeness or quality of relationships in our lives that we desire.

As mentioned above, while one person can live alone and feel content, another can live in a house full of people and still feel deeply lonely. This is why loneliness can be so hard to spot. It does not always look like someone sitting by themselves. It can look like the busy colleague who feels disconnected from their team, the parent who has no time for friendships, the young person scrolling through endless social feeds, or the older adult whose social circle has slowly become smaller.

A Growing Health Conversation

The World Health Organization’s 2025 report on social connection describes loneliness and social isolation as widespread and serious, but often under-recognised issues. The report calls for “social” health to be treated with the same urgency as physical and mental health.

Globally, loneliness is not a small issue. According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, drawing on the World Health Organization’s 2025 report, an estimated 16 per cent of people worldwide, or almost 1 in 6 people, experienced loneliness between 2014 and 2023. In 2024, global survey data also suggested 22 per cent of people worldwide felt they did not have relatives or friends they could count on for help when needed.

In Australia, the latest Australian Institute of Health & Welfare (AIHW) analysis of Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia data found that in 2024, an estimated 15 per cent of Australians aged 15 and over were experiencing loneliness. A further 15 per cent were experiencing social isolation. People aged 35 to 44 recorded the highest rate of loneliness at 17 per cent, while men had higher rates of social isolation than women, at 18 per cent compared with 12 per cent.

Negative impacts of social isolation and loneliness

The AIHW reports that social isolation and loneliness have been linked to mental illness, emotional distress, low satisfaction with life, suicide, dementia, premature death, smoking, physical inactivity, poor sleep, high blood pressure and impaired immune function.

Healthdirect notes that social connection can help protect against anxiety and depression, while prolonged loneliness or isolation may contribute to physical symptoms including low energy, changes in appetite, sleep problems, negative thoughts and substance misuse.

The Modern Loneliness Trap

Paradoxically, at a time when we have never had more ways to contact each other, many people still feel disconnected and lonely.

A phone can hold hundreds of contacts, but this does not necessarily translate into meaningful interactions with others. The issue is not simply how many people we know. It is whether we feel a sense of belonging, trust and emotional safety. Social media provides a platform which can present a distorted view of everyone else’s ‘business’ and apparent social connection, often leaving viewers feeling disconnected, excluded or left out. Latest Australian research (e.g. Orygen, 2025) tells us that heavy use of social media is linked to feeling more loneliness, while moderate intentional use is not considered harmful when it is balanced with face to face contact. With the ease and availability of social media platforms most people do not have an issue with contact frequency, but it is important not to confuse contact with satisfying and meaningful connection.

Given many of us spend a lot of our time at work, it is also important to consider the workplace when speaking about connection. We know that the landscape for face to face connection at work has changed considerably since covid, introducing significantly more flexibility for remote working than we’ve ever experienced. While remote working and hybrid work (time split between in the office and working from home) can offer flexibility, they also limit the opportunity for more informal interactions that help people feel a stronger sense of belonging to their team and organisation.

Life transitions also play a major role. Relocation, starting a job with a new employer, becoming a parent, separating from a partner, grieving, retirement, living away from family, unemployment, health challenges and cultural or language barriers can all increase feelings of loneliness or isolation. Recognising that these life changes and stages can lead to feelings of disconnection is a starting point. When we have an awareness of this and understand that it is normal, we are in a stronger position to take action to get the supports we need during these times. Taking supportive action will protect against experiencing mental health issues and emotional distress.

Building Connection Back In

Connection can be rebuilt, often through small, repeated actions.

That might mean sending a message to someone you have not spoken to in a while, calling a family member or friend, joining a walking group, club or organisation, connecting with communities online or in person, volunteering, attending a local class, reconnecting with an old colleague or neighbour, or saying yes to a coffee invitation even when it feels easier to stay home.

In addition to the above, Healthdirect suggests getting a pet or spending time with animals as another way to reduce loneliness and isolation. This may be a particularly good option for people who experience social anxiety or have had distressing experiences in their past relationships and who be seeking connection but feeling uncertain where to start. Walking your dog around your local neighbourhood can be a great way to meet neighbours and offers a non-confronting opportunity to stop and say hello to other dog walkers.

For some people, the first step may need to be very small. A short text. A five-minute chat. A walk around the block. A conversation with a GP. Choosing to go through the checkout operator rather than taking the self-serve checkout option at the supermarket. Connection does not have to begin with a full calendar. It can begin with one point of contact.

What Workplaces Can Do

Workplaces can play an important role in helping people feel connected, especially because so many adults spend a large part of their week at work.

A connected workplace is not just one where people attend meetings. It is one where people feel valued, feel a sense of belonging and a link to meaning and purpose. Simple actions can help, such as checking in with colleagues, creating opportunities for informal conversation, supporting new starters, encouraging team connection days, recognising life outside work and making sure remote or hybrid workers are not excluded, particularly those who may live in different parts of the country (or in a different country altogether!).

Connection is not only a culture issue. It is a wellbeing issue.

When to Seek Support

Everyone feels lonely from time to time. But if loneliness, isolation or disconnection is ongoing, distressing or affecting your daily life, it is worth seeking support.

You might speak with a GP, mental health professional, trusted friend, family member, colleague or workplace Employee Assistance Program. Healthdirect also lists support options including Medicare Mental Health on 1800 595 212, Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800, and Lifeline on 13 11 14 for crisis support.

Reaching out can feel difficult, especially when you are already feeling disconnected. But support is available, and you do not have to work through it alone.

This article is general information only and is not a substitute for personalised medical or mental health advice. If you are concerned about your mental health or someone else’s wellbeing, speak with a GP, psychologist or qualified health professional. If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 000.

By: Melissa Sadlo, Psychologist: July26