This article was written in collaboration with Simrit Somal.
Loneliness has quietly grown into one of the greatest crises of our time. A BBC article reports that, according to the Office of National Statistics in the UK, 33% of Britons aged 16 to 29 report feeling lonely “often, always or some of the time.” Yet despite awareness, little has been done to truly address loneliness, especially in the aftermath of Covid-19.
The Covid Effect
When the world went into lockdown, we needed human touch, shared laughter, and the presence of loved ones. Instead, we were forced into virtual connections. The Mental Health Foundation found that feelings of loneliness more than doubled during this period. At a time of deep vulnerability, when kindness and community were most essential, many of us were left with filtered smiles and phone calls that could not fill the void.
The Illusion of Connection
Social media has transformed the way we communicate, but it often provides the illusion of connection rather than its reality. Quick likes and fleeting comments cannot replace the depth of a shared meal, the warmth of a friend’s embrace, or the reliability of a neighbour’s support. Younger people risk isolation through overuse, while older generations find themselves increasingly marginalised.
Lessons from Around the World
Through my (Mandeep’s) travels to over 185 countries I have discovered again and again that connection and community are at the heart of what makes societies thrive. Loneliness is not our natural state – it is, in fact, the opposite of how humans are wired to live.
Here are just a few examples of values around the world that illuminate the power of the collective in promoting positive mental health and wellbeing:
- Australia: Mateship – More than friendship, it is a cultural commitment to being there for one another, welcoming strangers, and standing by the group. Notably, Australia is now moving to restrict technology use for under-16s to protect real-world connection.
- Croatia: Friendship – In Croatia, friendship is a guarantee. When you are in need, your friends show up, no questions asked.
- Turkey: Hospitality – Turkish hospitality extends far beyond individuals; it embodies a shared ethos of generosity that strengthens community ties.
- Malta: Community – When volcanic ash grounded flights in 2010, I found myself stranded. It was Malta’s culture of helping one another that enabled me to return home — proof that community is more than a word, it is a way of life.
- Kenya: Togetherness – From villages to boardrooms, togetherness drives success in Kenya. It demonstrates how cooperation can bridge divides, empower communities, and uplift collective spirit.
These values show us what is possible when societies embrace their communal roots.
Digital Connection vs. Real Connection
But what about in today’s digital-first world?
I (Simrit) was recently asked in an Instagram survey whether the platform helps me “stay connected with friends and family.” My instinct was to click “agree.” After all, I constantly see updates from people I know. Yet on reflection, I realised: I know what they’re doing, but I don’t know how they’re really doing. A smile for the camera is always easier than a smile in real life.
Rebuilding connection requires courage. It’s easy to say “join a new hobby group” or “go out for dinner with friends,” but anxiety and comfort zones often hold us back. Sometimes, what we need is a gentle nudge.
Beluga Pods – Creating Connection
That’s precisely what Georgie Cox, founder of the app Beluga Pods, has sought to create. Inspired by her own experiences of loneliness, she designed an AI-supported companion that helps people set intentions, build communities (or “pods”), and step beyond the screen into real-world connection. Beluga whales, known for their social bonds, inspired both the app’s name and philosophy.
“We have written a white paper and felt really fortunate that we could get significant input from the Center for BrainHealth, who share out immense concern about the epidemic of loneliness; their research over decades has shown how central connectedness to people is to brain health. This shows the behavioural shift that is needed to help us rewire our brains from threat response to safety to rebuild trust through small habits each day. This is the basis of the Beluga Pods app,” Georgie explains.
“Normalising loneliness as a human signal, much like hunger, is essential to rebuilding awareness, community and the forms of connection that make life meaningful.”
Unlike social media, Beluga Pods does not overwhelm or push constant notifications. Instead, it helps users reflect through journaling and encourages them to reach out meaningfully.
Georgie once asked me a simple but profound question: “Is there anyone you can rely on to take care of your cat?” The answer to that question — whether or not we truly have support — cuts to the heart of what separates surface-level online connection from real-life community.
The Collective Cure
The truth is, ending loneliness is a responsibility we all share. It begins with kindness, with showing up for ourselves and for others. When communities are strong, both mental and physical well-being improves, identity strengthens, and we live longer, happier lives.
In fractured times, connection is not just a comfort – it is our collective cure.