Loneliness is a very common sad, unhappy, empty feeling of being unconnected to people.

What kinds of loneliness are there?

1. The loneliness of missing special people, like family and close friends, who are a long way away and not easy to contact.


2. The loneliness of being in new and strange surroundings where you do not know anyone yet.


3. The loneliness of missing a very special person who is lost to you, maybe through death, or relationship break-up, work or travel.


4. The loneliness of being around other people but feeling that you don’t fit in or belong.


5. The loneliness of having acquaintances but not having anyone you feel close to so as to be able to talk with about important or

Who gets lonely?

Pretty much everyone feels lonely at some time, but loneliness is more likely under certain circumstances.

1. Being an International Student newly arrived in Melbourne. You may be experiencing “culture shock” – unfamiliar language, customs, food, weather: everything seems strange and you feel isolated.


2. Being a student newly arrived in Melbourne from the country or from interstate – the important people in your life are all a long way away.


3. Being a Mature Age student returning to study – feeling cut-off from other students by age, along with work and family commitments outside Swinnie.


4. Being a PhD student – working by yourself on your research topic, which only you really understand.


5. Being a student with a possessive partner who demands your exclusive attention—you feel cut-off from other once-close friends, and dependent, vulnerable, isolated.


6. Being a student with a turbulent or troubled life history which may be hard for others to understand or accept—you feel wary about getting close to anyone.


7. Being a student who is struggling to feel comfortable with your sexual orientation—you feel anxious about the reactions of others.