Article - Loneliness at work matters more than we think
Amanda Opie
With one in six adults worldwide experiencing significant loneliness, work has become one of the main places where connection is either strengthened or quietly lost.
This article from The Conversation highlights something important: loneliness isnβt just emotional. It affects focus, motivation, engagement and performance.
You can be in a busy team and still feel disconnected.
For employers, this isnβt a soft issue. Itβs a culture and design issue.
Workplaces that prioritise output but overlook belonging risk higher burnout, lower engagement and reduced performance.
The good news? Small, intentional actions make a difference:
β’ Peer support and mentoring
β’ Safe spaces for real conversations
β’ Leaders who model connection, not just productivity
At MHScot, we see it every day: when people feel they belong, they perform better.
Connection isnβt a perk. Itβs a performance strategy.