Social Relationships and Peer Support

Social relationships have a significant impact on our wellbeing. Interacting with others and feeling a sense of belonging enhance our wellbeing and help prevent illnesses. You can read here why social relationships and a sense of belonging are so important for our wellbeing. You will also find information on peer support and tips on what to do if you feel lonely.

We Need Each Other

Peer Support

Loneliness

Self-Care and Self-Assessment

Services

We Need Each Other

It’s essential for all of us to belong to a community and feel accepted. Being excluded from a group has been life-threatening throughout human history; that is why rejection and feeling like an outsider can be so painful. The pain activates the same areas of the brain that respond to physical pain.  

The opposite of exclusion is inclusion. Inclusion means being able to participate, influence, and contribute to society. It’s about feeling involved and having the opportunity to express your thoughts and opinions. Experiencing inclusion is crucial and enhances our wellbeing.

Peer Support

Peer support means receiving support from someone who has been in the same situation as you. There are different types of peer support groups where people with similar experiences gather to share their experiences and support each other. Sometimes, talking to someone who has gone through the same thing can bring great relief. Another person with similar experiences can provide hope and insight in a way that books and professionals cannot.  

Peer support activities are organised, for example, for people with illnesses, giving them the opportunity to meet others with the same diagnosis. In the Wellbeing Services County of Ostrobothnia, OLKA provides information on peer support groups and other services that can help patients and their families. Various associations and organisations also arrange peer support activities.

Loneliness

If you suffer from loneliness, you’re not alone; about one in five people experience loneliness in Finland. Loneliness is especially common among young adults and the elderly. It may arise from having little social contact in daily life or from a lack of close relationships.  

Prolonged loneliness leads to stress, which can manifest as anxiety, nausea, and difficulty concentrating. If loneliness persists, it is common for self-esteem to decline. You may also become more suspicious of others, making it harder to form new relationships and leading to further social isolation.  

Tips for Reducing Loneliness

There are things you can do to reduce loneliness. The best way is, of course, to spend time with other people. If you’re looking for new connections, a course at an adult education centre can be a great way to meet like-minded people. Read more under the Culture section.

If you’ve been feeling lonely for a long time, the threshold for seeking social contact may feel high. Here are some small steps you can take to move away from loneliness.

Jos olet kokenut yksinäisyyttä pitkään, kynnys hakeutua ihmisten seuraan voi olla korkea. Tässä on tapoja ottaa pieniä askelia pois yksinäisyydestä.  

1. Do things you enjoy. Engage in creative activities or take a walk in the forest. Do something that keeps you present in the moment and brings you positive emotions.   

2. Try to break negative thought patterns. Remember that there is nothing wrong with you. Your value does not change based on how many friends you have or what kind of relationships you are in. Question negative thoughts when they arise.  

3. Be open when meeting new people and give them a chance to get to know you. Challenge the distrust you may feel toward others.