A growing number of young people and older populations affected
An increasing number of young people, despite being surrounded by many others, are experiencing feelings of isolation and loneliness that can be harmful to physical and mental health, as discussed at the panel "A Cup of Coffee with a Psychologist," which addressed the topic "The Loneliness Pandemic: Is Solitude Killing Us?"
According to the World Health Organization, loneliness is considered a "global health threat" and is often compared to the general negative effects of smoking 15 cigarettes a day. Research indicates that the group most affected by the negative feelings of loneliness is young people, particularly young men, even more than those over 75 years old, who previously topped the list.
Anja Simonović, a psychotherapist at the Center for Youth Mental Health Care, stated that loneliness is a topic that resonates with everyone, even from personal experience. She noted that through conversations with young people, she learned that they find it difficult to discuss loneliness with older generations, as the latter assume it is not an issue for young people.

Anja Simonović, psychologist
Simonović emphasized that the stereotype of young people being connected and that communication on social media does not mean they don’t feel lonely is misleading. She pointed out that loneliness has consequences for physical health, but the psychological effects are even more dramatic, with studies showing a connection between loneliness, depression, and psychiatric disorders. “Loneliness fundamentally stems from a lack of self-confidence and a negative self-image, which prevents a person from entering into quality and authentic relationships with others,” Simonović specified. She added that there are numerous life areas where social or professional intervention can enhance an individual’s resilience to negative feelings and facilitate their overcoming. "The role of the media could be significant in helping to destigmatize this issue," Simonović added.
Psychoanalyst Aleksandar Dimitrijević distinguished between solitude and the feeling of loneliness, noting that people can enjoy solitude as a time for relaxation or deep contemplation, while loneliness is associated with feelings of sadness and suffering.

Aleksandar Dimitrijević, psychoanalyst
“Loneliness can lead to depression, increased aggression, somatic problems, and social anxiety. I might start avoiding people because I think no one will ever want to socialize with me,” Dimitrijević stated. For twenty years, the psychoanalyst noted, the impact of social communication on the internet on social anxiety has been researched. “The initial hypotheses suggested that anxious individuals would use the internet because it provides them with a shield; their identity is not fully exposed, and they can take on someone else’s name or present themselves as multiple different personas. But that’s only one option,” he explained. Dimitrijević described that direct contact, the sense of another’s presence, and the ability to see facial expressions and hear the tone of voice are crucial for communication and understanding. “In both the virtual and real worlds, we lose what is necessary to truly approach people and become cowardly in different ways. I fear that in the coming years, we may encounter this more and more frequently,” Dimitrijević warned.

Audience at the Panel "A Cup of Coffee with a Psychologist"
If the feeling of loneliness is present, the panelists concluded, the most effective means are self-help groups, where individuals suffering from similar experiences can share their stories. Additionally, group therapy and long-term individual psychotherapy can lead to significant progress, as individuals can feel understood and accepted by others, as well as gain a deeper understanding of themselves. Finally, at the level of the overall mental health protection system, trends indicate the necessity of introducing community work, where patients, with assistance, continue to work and live outside of hospitals, preserving their sense of belonging and contribution to the society in which they live.

Dragan Ilić, psychologist and journalist, Anja Simonović, psychologist, Aleksandar Dimitrijević, psychoanalyst, Suzana Đorđević, director of the Hemofarm Foundation.
The "A Cup of Coffee with a Psychologist" panels are organized by the Hemofarm Foundation in partnership with the Faculty of Philosophy at the University of Belgrade and the Art Commune Dorćol Platz, and are part of the campaign against depression and stigma -
"Unbreakable".