The Scooty Fund and HeadsUpGuys are shining a light on the importance of human connection. To better understand and tackle loneliness in men.
Through our "Better Together" campaign, we aim to reduce stigma, increase awareness, and provide practical pathways back to connection.
This March, HeadsUpGuys is collaborating with our long-time supporters at Scooty Fund for a week-long campaign focused on loneliness, an often overlooked challenge affecting men’s mental health.
Loneliness is not simply being alone. It’s the painful feeling of lacking meaningful connection, of feeling unseen, unheard, or emotionally disconnected.
Ultimately, when we are experiencing loneliness, we are experiencing a lack of connection. Humans are a social species, and connection is a fundamental aspect of our survival, just like food, water, and oxygen.[1]
Research increasingly shows that persistent loneliness is linked to depression, anxiety, substance misuse, physical health risks, and suicide.[2,3] This campaign is about changing that.
Throughout the week, we’ll be sharing tools, personal stories, and practical tips to better understand loneliness in men, recognize the signs, and take small steps toward meaningful connection.
While loneliness affects people regardless of age, gender, race or any other factors, men face unique barriers to acknowledging it and seeking support, due to social expectations around independence, toughness, and self-reliance.[4]
Data suggests that while there aren’t huge differences in the levels of loneliness between men and women, there are differences in how men experience loneliness.
Men report having fewer close friends than women, with:
Unlike women, guys are often socialized from a young age to keep their feelings to themselves and to avoid discussing intimate details of their lives – even with close friends. This is particularly true when it comes to asking for help, or recognizing that they’re struggling.
So while the term ‘epidemic’ as it usually refers to diseases may not be the best descriptor (and may make it seem like it’s harder to overcome) the heart of the matter is loneliness is a huge issue many men are dealing with and there is growing evidence to support the claim that men are more disconnected than ever.[7]
As a result, a lot of men heavily rely on their spouse for emotional or personal support, because they don’t have other close connections they can open up to.[5] This can put enormous strain on relationships.
Men who aren’t in relationships, as well as many who are, may find themselves without anyone at all they can open up to, and don’t have the resources or guidance to figure out how to reach out or where to find support.
Loneliness can quietly drain energy, confidence, and hope over time.
If you recognize these signs in yourself or in someone you care about there are steps you can take.
If you’re unsure of the extent to which loneliness is affecting you, we have a very short self-assessment that can help to give you some idea and recommend potential next steps:
We have a new article on understanding and overcoming loneliness, which covers what loneliness really is, how men experience it, and practical strategies for rebuilding connection:
We also have new stories from guys who’ve faced loneliness firsthand, and who share how reaching out and reconnecting became the turning point toward better mental health and stronger relationships.
After his marriage ended, a friend withdrew from sports, social life, and connections. This story shows how simple acts of friendship can help men overcome loneliness.
Working in Arctic communities, Evan faced intense isolation and loneliness.
He shares what helped most.
References
Too many men suffer in silence. Become a peer supporter for the men in your life.
In this four-part course (15–20 min each), you’ll learn what effective peer support looks like, how to show up for others, and how to stay grounded while doing so.