Make time for people you trust
Regular, supportive contact eases loneliness, which WHO now links to hundreds of thousands of deaths a year.
The number, drawn
WHO estimates loneliness causes 871 000 deaths each year
Why it matters
Supportive relationships give you belonging and practical help when life gets hard. WHO estimates that loneliness causes 871 000 deaths each year, and that about 1 in 6 people worldwide, 15.8%, feel lonely. Those are population figures describing the size of the problem, not a promise that a set number of visits changes your own risk.
How to do it
- Arrange a regular call or visit with someone whose company you actually enjoy.
- Join a recurring local group built around an interest you already have.
- Tell someone you trust when you need company or practical help.
- If loneliness persists, ask a community service or health professional what support exists near you.
Do it
Pick the time you have. Anything beats nothing.
Start with the time you have
1 minute
If a trusted person is nearby, thank them for one specific thing and ask how they are; give their answer your attention.
5 minutes
Send someone you trust a specific invitation, such as a 15-minute call tomorrow, and offer a time that works for you.
15 minutes
Call or talk with someone you enjoy. Share one thing from your day and ask about theirs.
30 minutes
Spend half an hour together over a drink or shared activity, in person or by a call if getting out is difficult.
A plan
Make contact easier to repeat
- This week, arrange one conversation with someone you trust, or contact a local group if you need new connections.
- Afterwards, agree the next time to meet or talk.
- After a few contacts, keep what feels supportive; ask for community or professional help if loneliness persists.
In real life
- Invite a friend to a regular Sunday call, with a shorter call on busy weeks.
- Join a local book group where you can see the same people again.
Watch out for
- Common mistakeA crowded diary can still feel lonely: make room for people with whom you feel safe and heard.
- Common mistakeIf you have nobody to contact, ask a community service about groups or befriending instead of treating loneliness as your fault.
Trusted guides
Check usSources
- Evidence grade
- B Consistent large cohort studies, with some trial evidence.
- Basis
- WHO Commission on Social Connection estimates and NHS wellbeing guidance; health associations do not establish an intervention effect
- The number
- WHO estimates loneliness causes 871 000 deaths each year (WHO, 2025)
- Tier 1 guidelineSocial connectionWHO, 2025
- Tier 1 guideline5 steps to mental wellbeingNHS, 2022
General health information, not a diagnosis or an individual treatment plan. Personalization changes the order of suggestions; it does not assess your medical risks. Follow the cautions and consult a qualified clinician when needed.