Not long ago, I came across an article mentioning a “loneliness epidemic.” Honestly, I didn’t think much of it at first. But then I thought of someone I used to work with.
She was the kind of colleague every team wants. Reliable, capable, always on top of things. You’d never guess anything was wrong. But slowly, something shifted. Her camera stayed off in our online meetings. Her chat replies got shorter, more distant. Then one day, she quietly said, “I don’t think I’ve really spoken to anyone this week.”
That moment stuck with me.
She wasn’t drowning in work. She wasn’t falling behind. She was just disconnected.
And she’s not alone.
How Loneliness Shows Up at Work
Unlike stress or burnout, loneliness doesn’t usually make a dramatic entrance. It creeps in quietly. But its impact can be just as heavy — less energy, less collaboration, less purpose.
People start to withdraw. They speak up less. Meetings feel flatter. Slowly, the spark that makes a team feel like a team begins to fade. This isn’t just about personal wellbeing — it’s a real issue for workplaces.
And it’s becoming more common.
What Some Workplaces Are Doing Differently
The good news? Some employers are starting to notice the signs and they’re acting on them.
More organizations are investing in corporate mental health training workshops to help teams feel more connected and supported. Not because they have to, but because they understand that culture affects everything — how people work, how they relate, and how they show up each day.
HR leaders are also encouraging their managers to take part in online workplace mental health courses. These programs give practical tools not just for major issues, but for the kinds of everyday check-ins that build psychological safety and trust.
And during Mental Health Month, some companies are leaning into genuinely thoughtful activities like: group discussions, mental health workshops, or wellness challenges that bring people together in small but meaningful ways.
It Starts with a Small Step
Let’s be honest. No training or toolkit can fully solve loneliness. But what helps? Noticing.
Noticing when someone pulls back. Reaching out before they slip through the cracks. Making space for real connection even if it’s just a short chat, or a genuine “How are you?”
That colleague I mentioned earlier? What helped her most wasn’t a formal program. It was one quiet moment where someone simply asked, “Hey, are you okay?”
Sometimes, that’s all it takes.
Peter Diaz is the CEO of Workplace Mental Health Institute. He’s an author and accredited mental health social worker with senior management experience. Having recovered from his own experience of bipolar depression, Peter is passionate about assisting organizations to address workplace mental health issues in a compassionate yet results-focussed way. He’s also a Dad, Husband, Trekkie and Thinker.
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