Many parents and older adults grew up believing endurance is strength. That asking for help means burdening someone, and opening up means failing. So when something feels heavy, they may not always know how to express it, or even see it within themselves. Instead, it may surface in shorter conversations. In hobbies left behind. And it can be painful to witness, too – to know that someone we love may be lonely and slowly withdrawing.
Conversations about mental health have grown louder, but ageing and loneliness are rarely part of them. We don’t talk enough about what retirement, an empty nest, the loss of community, routine, purpose, or companionship can do to a person.
What helps may not always be a big conversation. Sometimes, it is making it easier for someone to speak before they have all the words. Calling again. Sitting a little longer. Asking how they are, and waiting for the answer. Reminding them that they do not have to carry it alone.
If something feels different about someone you love, or even yourself, it is worth paying attention to. This Mental Health Awareness Month, we’ve partnered with @thethoughtco, a collective of therapists working across emotional wellbeing. Resources are in our bio, and the first call is free.
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Posted on : 31 May 2026 10:52 AM
