The National Youth Mental Health Foundation, headspace, is urging young women to actively seek opportunities for social connection within their communities. Recent research reveals a trend indicating that young women are more susceptible to feelings of loneliness and isolation compared to their male counterparts. 

The headspace National Youth Mental Health Survey has uncovered some statistics stating two in three (67%)  young women report feeling left out often or some of the time, while more than three in five felt they lacked companionship (62%) and felt isolated (61%) from others. The survey indicated that young women between 18-21 experience loneliness more than any other age group among Australian youth. 

Nicola Palfrey, head of Clinical Leadership at headspace acknowledges the difficulties associated with this stage of young adulthood, usually marked by significant milestones and life transitions. People in their late teens and early twenties are gaining independence, leaving school, adjusting to new routines and expectations leave young women susceptible to feelings of loneliness. These things can be exciting and full of potential but they can also be overwhelming and a cause of stress. 

However, there is some good news. The survey also shows results that indicate women are more likely to seek support from mental health professionals than their male counterparts. Though, despite their willingness to seek help, over half (67%) of the group said they preferred to cope with emotional challenges independently. 

The survey also shows that social media is a prominent cause of feeling lonely, isolated or overwhelmed. Women between 18-21 are shown to engage in social media in concerning ways. Social media offers constant access to images of people having a great time, surrounded by friends, and seemingly ‘perfect’ lives. The constant exposure to these unrealistic standards can often worsen feelings of loneliness or isolation.

Headspace encourages young women to take proactive steps to combat loneliness by exploring options for community involvement. Getting involved in activities such as volunteering or joining university or community clubs that align with personal hobbies and interests. 

There are a variety of reasons why young adult women may feel lonely or isolated. 

For more information you can visit the headspace website, visit a headspace centre for support or access eheadspace seven days a week 9am-1am AEST (1800 650 890).

Below are the key findings from the research: 

• Experiences of loneliness are common among young Australians.
• A large proportion of young people felt they lacked companionship often or some of the time (60%). Just over three in five young people felt left out often or some of the time (62%), and slightly fewer felt isolated from others often or some of the time (58%).
• The following groups of young people were more likely to experience loneliness (as per the three-item loneliness scale):
• Young women (5.5), compared to young men (5.0).
• Those aged 18-21 years (5.9) and 22-25 years (5.6), compared to those aged 12-14 years (4.7) and 15-17 years (4.8).
• Young women aged between 18 and 21 years old were the most likely of any cohort to experience loneliness, scoring 6.2 on the loneliness scale.
• 76% of young women in this age group felt they lacked companionship often or some of the time.
• 79% of young women in this age group felt left out often or some of the time.
• 76% of young women in this age group felt isolated from others often or some of the time.
• Young men (43%) were more likely to deal with emotional problems on their own compared to young women (38%).
• Young women aged between 18 and 21 years old (52%) were the most likely to deal with emotional problems on their own among any other age group of women.
• Young women (52%) are more likely to make comparisons between their own life and what they see on social media compared to young men (42%).