How loneliness triggers suicidal thoughts
Scientific litsketch on boosting mental health
We can all feel lonely sometimes despite being surrounded by many people. Covid 19 has certainly brought a storm of loneliness for most of us. How does loneliness affect our mental health and what can we do to lessen its negative impact?
Research found that feeling rejected, excluded or ignored takes away our sense of meaning in life, which further triggers suicidal thoughts (Chen et al., 2020). In an experiment, people were divided into two groups. Group One was asked to imagine that they feel lonely, and cannot make any friends with any colleagues in the company they work for. Group Two was asked to imagine that they always feel accompanied by others, and have made many friends with colleagues in the company they work for. Next, their suicidal thoughts were measured by asking them to rate how much “I wanted to die”, “I wanted to kill myself”, “I wanted to end my life” etc. The results show that Group One that imagined to feel lonely and excluded reported higher levels of suicidal thoughts than Group Two.
The research found that those who feel lonely experienced higher levels of suicidal thoughts because they feel that life is less meaningful. However, the research also found a strategy that we can use to minimise the harmful effects of loneliness. It found that those who feel lonely experience less suicidal thoughts if they think about why some of the following values are important to them - athletic ability, living in the moment, sense of humor, creativity, independence, membership in a special group such as church, music, politics, relationship with friends, relationship with family, and religious values (Sherman et al., 2009).
Reaffirming one’s personal values helps us find strength when we feel rejected and excluded, protecting our mind from suicidal thoughts.
Next time when you feel lonely, rejected or excluded, reflect on your core personal values to help you find greater sense of meaning in life, which will create a buffer against suicidal thoughts.
Do not be afraid or terrified for there will always be someone who will go with you, and will never leave you nor forsake you.