Student loneliness is common in today’s age, with social media, isolation and stress from college weighing down students.
“When students are in a new environment and away from their support system, it can contribute to increased loneliness,” Kristen Sievert, director of Student Counseling Services, said. “For many students, they develop new friendships on campus, but some may struggle to develop new relationships and continue to experience loneliness throughout their college experience.”
Loneliness can affect everyone and comes in many different forms. For junior HDFS major Brenna Kruse, president of the HDFS Happiness Club, it affects her, even with the amount of activities she’s involved in.
“I’m involved in over 10 clubs, and I’ve had eight leadership opportunities over the past three years and I still experience loneliness,” Kruse said. “Sometimes, it just feels like I’m not getting invited to go do things. I feel like I have to be the one to reach out to people if I’m ever feeling that way. I think [loneliness] is natural; everyone experiences it.”
Although many students experience loneliness, people who struggle with it find difficulty distinguishing the feeling of being alone from loneliness.
Senior psychology major Lydia Harders, who serves as the president of the Psychology Club, says there is a key difference between the two.
“Loneliness is feeling emotionally disconnected or unsupported, even if you’re surrounded by people,” Harders said. “Being alone is just a physical state, and it can actually be healthy or relaxing for some people. Loneliness happens when someone feels like they lack meaningful social connection or belonging. A person can have lots of social interaction and still feel lonely if those relationships don’t feel genuine or supportive.”
Despite the growing destigmatization of the benefits of receiving help and therapy, it can be difficult for students to open up and reach out.
“It’s a common experience to feel embarrassed or scared to reach out for help, even in this world that is becoming more open to therapy and seeking help,” clinical psychologist Travis Brace said. “It’s important to remember that asking for help is not a sign of weakness. Instead, it is an opportunity for us to grow and become unstuck from our current obstacles.”
Despite the fear of showing vulnerability by opening up about loneliness, mental health professionals such as Sievert recommend connecting.
“I would encourage students, faculty and staff to keep finding ways to connect, check in with one another and help cultivate a community of care and support at ISU,” Sievert said.
Students like Harders also think Iowa State could provide more opportunities for students to connect with one another in a safe environment in order to make everyone feel less lonely.
“Iowa State can help by creating more intentional opportunities for connection, especially for new students or transfer students who may feel disconnected at first,” Harders said. “More small-group events, peer mentoring programs, mental health outreach and collaboration between organizations could help students feel more included… sometimes just helping students feel welcomed and noticed can make a really big difference.”
Students looking for mental health services can find support through free counseling, or the Thielen Student Health Center.
