Loneliness is not just a phenomenon of the grey winter months. Many people also spend the summer socially isolated, says Pastor Frank Gottschalk. “Many people always believe that this is an urgent issue, especially during Advent and Christmas,” explains the head of the Lübeck telephone counseling service.
“That’s not the case, it’s actually evenly distributed throughout the year.”
Loneliness is one of the major issues addressed by the Lübeck telephone counseling service. According to Gottschalk, a quarter of all calls are about this. But only a few of those affected say: “I’m lonely” and ask the staff for help. Rather, they are looking for a listening ear, explains the counselor. “Many conversations are not at all solution-oriented, but are largely conversations to relieve stress. People just want to be able to talk in peace about how a situation or life is feeling for them at the moment.”
Scissors bigger in summer
It is often chronically lonely people who contact the telephone counseling service and become repeat users. Their depressive moods often increase or are more intense in the summer, says Gottschalk. The contrast between the outside world and their own emotional life becomes more pronounced.
“When I have the feeling that everything is grey for me personally and then I experience the world out there and I see brightness. I see sun, blue sky, people in colourful clothes, maybe even people in love.”
This gap is particularly difficult for some people to endure in the supposedly colorful summer. The level of suffering increases and the loneliness affects mental and physical health. Those affected in this state are more likely to suffer from depression, anxiety disorders and addictions, explains Gottschalk.
Since the Corona pandemic, the issue of loneliness has also come into the public spotlight. More and more studies are being published. On May 30, Federal Minister for Family Affairs Lisa Paus (Greens) presented the first loneliness barometer. It is part of the federal government’s strategy against loneliness. The data collected by the Socio-Economic Panel (SOEP) enables representative statements to be made on the burden of loneliness between 1992 and 2021. Among other things, it shows that loneliness is a problem affecting society as a whole, regardless of age. It can affect anyone.
Single mothers, poor, sick
Factors that play a major role according to the loneliness barometer are health, education and social relationships. Frank Gottschalk confirms this: it is mainly single mothers, people affected by poverty and sick people who often pick up the phone. Lost trust in people and authorities plays a major role. Lonely people are often afraid of rejection and therefore avoid being with others, explains the pastor.
Frank Gottschalk appreciates the fact that the issue is being addressed more clearly and that loneliness is no longer a stigma. Everyone longs for acceptance and this is where the church comes into play.
“The task of the church is to create and enable community.”
It can accept every person in a variety of ways with low barriers. “For this to happen, churches must continue to be places of encounter for a long time to come.”
