'There is no shame in feeling alone, and it's OK to talk about it'
Television personality Scarlett Moffatt has admitted to phoning a mental health hotline for support after moving to London in 2016.
Former Gogglebox star Scarlett Moffatt, 31, spoke to the BBC regarding mental health issues she struggled with after winning I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here in 2016.
"I remember feeling guilt when I felt lonely - because to many people I have no reason to feel alone, but loneliness affects us all," she said. "Sometimes it can feel like there is a negative stigma around admitting that you're lonely, but it's something that most people will have experienced at one point in their life. There is no shame in feeling alone, and it's OK to talk about it."
Moffatt argued that "in the world of social media", it can be difficult to understand when other people are struggling.
With no one to speak to, she turned to the Samaritans and would urge people who are feeling similarly to do the same.
She explained: "Talking to someone who didn't know me, or judge me, really helped when I wanted to talk about how I was feeling."
"Loneliness is a normal human feeling, but if these feelings persist, it can make you feel disconnected from those around you and affect your mental wellbeing," Samaritans volunteer Channique told the outlet. "I frequently hear just how challenging it can be during my shifts."
She added: “Most of us will feel lonely at some point in our lives. You don’t have to be alone to feel lonely. There’s no shame in recognising feelings of loneliness – or seeking support if you are struggling.”
Since the pandemic began, Samaritans have seen a 22 per cent increase in calls, a 26 per cent increase in contact from women and a 15 per cent increase from men. Further data from the Office of National Statistics suggest that 7.2 per cent of UK adults felt lonely “often” or “always” between October 2020 and February 2021.
