“I have nobody. I don’t have any friends, and I don’t have any family to talk to. What do I do?”
Social contact and relationships are basic human needs, but what if you have literally no one to talk to in a moment of crisis or time of need?
Call a helpline or use a text-based support service
If you’re struggling with feelings of despair or loneliness and have no support around you, consider calling a helpline. Helpline staff will not judge you for reaching out. Loneliness is a widespread public health problem, and they often receive calls from people who have no support from family or friends.
According to a survey by Cigna, over 40% of Americans feel isolated, and over a quarter (27%) feel no one understands them.[1]
You don’t have to be suicidal to use these services. They are for anyone who needs to talk. There’s no need to give your real name, and whatever you say will remain confidential.
Most helplines are free. Starting a conversation can feel awkward, so consider making a note of what you want to say before you call.
Helplines that you can call if you feel lonely
If you’re in the US, you can call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline or the Samaritans. Befrienders Worldwide has a list of helplines in other countries. If you are too anxious to talk on the phone, reach out to message-based helplines such as the Crisis Text Line. They offer free 24/7 support in the US, Canada, UK, and Ireland.
These services are staffed by volunteers or workers who have received training in listening skills. These volunteers are not professional therapists. However, they can help you cope in a crisis when there is no one else to listen. They can also point you towards resources that offer support for specific problems, including mental health problems.
Try an online peer-to-peer listening network
If you’d rather talk to someone on the internet than via telephone or text, try an online service that connects you with peer listeners.
One of the most popular is 7 Cups, which provides free emotional support from trained volunteers. The site also has live chat rooms where you can connect with other people who feel lonely, plus useful resources on mental health. Research shows that people find this kind of online listening service to be as helpful as psychotherapy.[2]
Other peer listening apps include TalkLife, which is designed to connect people who need support with depression, anxiety, eating disorders, and self-harm. You can set up a profile and share your thoughts or remain totally anonymous. It’s a safe space with a strict moderation policy, and you can filter other users’ posts by topic.
Join an online group or forum
Disboard, Reddit, and other online communities have forums and discord groups for people struggling with loneliness or social anxiety. You can give and receive anonymous support and exchange tips on how to improve your social skills in the offline world. If you become a regular participant, you may be able to form meaningful friendships with other users.
You could also join online communities based around your hobbies, favorite media, or current affairs. Taking part in a lively conversation or debate can give you a sense of connection and can form the basis for healthy friendships based on shared interests and experiences.
Be mindful that whilst the internet can be an opportunity to make friends, it isn’t a substitute for offline social interaction. If you withdraw to the internet in an attempt to avoid rejection or social anxiety, you may feel more lonely.[3] It’s best to use the internet to supplement, not replace, your offline social life.
You also need to be careful when using social media. It can be a good way to connect or reconnect with friends, but comparing yourself to others can lower your self-esteem. If scrolling through feeds and posts makes you feel worse about yourself, it’s time to log off.[4]
You might also appreciate these quotes about having no friends to help you see that you’re not alone.
See a therapist
Therapy isn’t only for people with mental health problems; it’s a useful tool for anyone who wants to improve their relationships and general quality of life.
A therapist will give you an opportunity to feel heard and understood. They will also give you tools to improve your social skills, grow a support network, and cope with feelings of loneliness. Therapy can help you identify patterns in your behavior or relationships that could be stunting your social life.[5]
If you have a good relationship with your doctor, ask them for a recommendation or referral. Alternatively, consult a reliable online directory like GoodTherapy. The relationship between a client and therapist has a significant effect on therapy outcomes, so if you don’t feel comfortable with the first therapist you see, try someone else.
Online therapy is increasingly popular. There are lots of online therapy service providers that can connect you with a therapist within a few hours, such as BetterHelp and Talkspace. Online therapy tends to be cheaper than face-to-face treatment. It’s also more accessible because you can message or talk to your therapist anywhere via a mobile device. However, some people feel they develop a stronger rapport when they can see a therapist in person.
We recommend BetterHelp for online therapy, since they offer unlimited messaging and a weekly session, and are cheaper than going to a therapist's office.
Their plans start at $64 per week. If you use this link, you get 20% off your first month at BetterHelp + a $50 coupon valid for any SocialSelf course: Click here to learn more about BetterHelp.
(To receive your $50 SocialSelf coupon, sign up with our link. Then, email BetterHelp’s order confirmation to us to receive your personal code. You can use this code for any of our courses.)
If you have an employee assistance program at work, you may be eligible for some free sessions. If you are in college, visit your student health center and ask if they offer counseling. Some college counseling services are run by student therapists who work under close supervision.
Help others
There are lots of charities and organizations that rely on volunteers. Look for roles that put you in direct contact with people, such as distributing food at food banks or helping out at a homeless shelter. Volunteering can help you feel connected to your community and make friends.[6] If you can’t be a face-to-face volunteer, offer your time to an online or telephone befriending service. VolunteerMatch and United Way are great places to start looking for all kinds of volunteering opportunities.
Many organizations offer free training, which will give you transferable skills you can use to make friends and talk to people in everyday life beyond volunteer settings. Volunteering is a great way to meet new people if you have social anxiety because it’s based on shared experiences. Even if you have nothing in common with your fellow volunteers, you can always bring the conversation back to your voluntary work. Studies show that volunteering is an effective way to grow your social networks and make friends.[7]
If you are struggling with a personal problem or mental health issue, join an in-person support group
Going to a group for people united by common experiences is a quick way to find support in a structured environment. Try to find a well-established group that meets on a regular basis rather than one-off events, because if you see the same people every week or month, you’re more likely to form friendships. Ask your doctor, nearest community center, or mental health clinic for recommendations.
Group leaders know that some people attending their group struggle with social anxiety or feel intimidated when meeting new people. You can call or email a leader to let them know you are attending for the first time. Tell them you feel anxious, and ask whether it would be possible to meet with them quickly at the start of the session.
If you’d like to attend an in-person group but can’t travel, try attending a live online meeting instead. They can be a good middle ground between online and face-to-face gatherings.
Support Groups Central lists dozens of free web meetings conducted via Zoom or similar technology. There are groups scheduled for every day of the week.
All groups are run by trained volunteers who have relevant personal experience. Most of the groups are sponsored by nonprofit organizations, but some require a small fee. You can give an anonymous name and turn off your video or audio whenever you like.
For more underlying reasons for not having friends, read our main article about having no friends.
Play an online multiplayer game
Massively multiplayer online games (MMOs) like Elder Scrolls Online, Guild Wars 2, and World of Warcraft (WoW) encourage you to work with other players to meet in-game objectives while socializing via text or voice chat. Research shows that WoW can provide opportunities for friendship and meaningful interaction.[8] Gaming with others can also reduce loneliness.[9]
If you don’t like MMOs, try an online game that encourages multiplayer collaboration, such as Minecraft or Stardew Valley. These games have vibrant online communities full of people who are looking to make friends with fellow players.
Just as you need to take care when using social media or taking part in other online communities, it’s important to keep your gaming within reasonable limits.
Gaming can be a healthy hobby, but it can become a compulsion or form of escapism for some people. If you are sacrificing opportunities to socialize offline in favor of gaming or failing to meet your everyday responsibilities, it’s time to cut back.[10]
If you have religious or spiritual beliefs, seek support in your local faith community
If you’re a member of a religion or identify as a spiritual person, you can look for support and friendship at your local place of worship. Along with regular services, they often host events and meetups, which can be good opportunities to meet new people who share your beliefs.
Churches, temples, mosques, and synagogues often pride themselves on bringing communities together. Some hold lunches and other casual events for anyone who would like to attend. Although norms vary by religion and region, most religious leaders will listen to anyone in need, regardless of their faith. They are accustomed to supporting people through life’s challenges, such as bereavement, economic uncertainty, serious illness, and divorce.
Get a haircut, massage, or beauty treatment
Hairstylists, barbers, and others who offer personal services have a lot of practice in talking to their clients and putting them at ease. They aren’t trained therapists but are often good listeners who are happy to hear about your day.
Getting a haircut or treatment is an opportunity to enjoy some casual conversation and practice making small talk. Spending time in a busy salon can make you feel part of the world around you, which can be healing if you are feeling alone. Taking care of your appearance can also improve your confidence, which may make you feel more comfortable talking to new people.
This article was so helpful! I just moved to a new area and volunteering, finding new salons, and therapy have helped me feel like I belong more and that I’m slowly building my community. Also Bumble BFF! I found one of my friends there and we’re a perfect match.
Thank you for sharing J, that’s amazing to hear! Keep on going!
I pray to God that we all here find meaning and people to fill the voids in our lonely lives.
God bless you all!
G.L.L.V
I didnt realize there were so many people out there in my situtation. No family no friends. i wihs there was a chat sight with just moms who help people.
are there any social groups for people with no living family members?
I am also looking for a support group like this.
people are awful and mean to me why are people always denying me things why. I have no family or friends. people are evil and mean and I don’t know why. people never help me and always give me stupid advice
Please read this through to the end, because the realities of what you are facing are real, and I know exactly what you mean. I have been there and have met way more than my share of surface people. I am still dealing with the reality of what it is like to be without any support in life. However, do know that although you have not met caring people, does not mean there are none, in my personal experience I haven’t met a lot. Oh yes, some people can pleasant and even light-hearted, but that is surface, and until you need something, even the most basic – like encouragement you find people lacking. There is a book in the bible about a man named Job, who encountered this as a so-called friend. I knew I was always marginal, and without support but I was young and strong enough physically and mentally to plow through and was quite positive in spite of it.
Here is where I got my strength. I am a Christian and always believed in God and Jesus, and even tried to connect with churches here and there, only to find that there is something about mankind that makes them unable or unwilling to put themselves out for someone else – some family units are the exception – and I have seen even people from these sources treat anyone outside their family with a different standard and even sometimes as fair game to take advantage of. It’s like a survival of the fittest attitude. As Christian, we learn it is called sin. People are very selfish and self-serving.
BUT!! There are exceptions, good souls who have made their mark on history, and often at great expense to themselves in order to benefit others – so there again you can see how they would stand out, and how few they are.
I myself sadly enough have been very disappointed by the organized religions in my Christian faith. Just like politicians, there are a lot of career Christians, always has been and sadly always will be.
I truly believe that when the rubber meets the road, they would be nowhere close to making the sacrifices made by courageous saints, (the men and women) throughout history who lived their life walking in love for God and practically helping others. Instead, they start government-controlled non-profit tax havens, which give the perception of caring while also making money. I believe at one point the non-profit, tax exemption idea was meant for good, now it has become another self-serving tool for so many inclined.
I say this because as I reached out for help from some so-called charities and churches (and not because I was asking for money – because I wasn’t), it was more for emotional support, and all I got was a request to provide them with my personal info., eg: birth date, government tax numbers and such which I found out they needed in order to acquire further funding or and tax exemption for their non-profit company. This was their first order of focus, never asking once what they could help me with.
I know this doesn’t sound positive, but I can only offer you what I have experienced through my belief in God and that is I would hear Him say things in my spirit only later (and I mean after the fact) to find the same message in the bible, yes you can imagine the impact of that, these were messages that told me “Don’t be afraid just believe” those are the Words of Jesus and also I would be lead to scripture such as “Jeremiah 30:17 – “I will restore your health and heal your wounds, because they have called you Zion who no one looks for or cares about”.
Get a good bible that is easy to read, and large print as well if that makes it easier, I use the amplified and message bibles. I wish I knew you, we could have coffee and share a pizza, my treat (and I would give you a bible as a Christmas present) and encourage you as often as needed, emotionally and practically.
Oh my dear person, just remember “Our God is the God of flesh, there is nothing to difficult for Him” from Jeremiah 32:27. Go to Him in prayer for what you need and tell him I told you to remind Him of His Word in Jeremiah 32:27 and ask Him to protect you, give you wisdom and provide and sustain you. My name is Dawn, and I will be praying for you. I have a book I keep people’s names in for this very reason; and remember “Don’t be afraid, just believe” Mark 5:36 and Luke 8:50. See Jesus repeated it – make sure you do the same if necessary.
My love to you hjk. Dawn
my life sucks I hate my life it is hard and awful I have no family or friends what do I do and I have no money and nobody will help me my life sucks people suck
This is a forum for questions and concerns to be ignored. Some people wrote years ago and no one commented or reached out to the person in pain and loneliness. I don’t understand why anyone would come to this site for help.
i have no birthfamily or friends what should I do plus i don’t have much money. what do i do?
Going through life being single and alone can be very tough for many of us single men that were really hoping to find love, and be all settled down with our own family that many of us still don’t have today.
I broke up with my boy friend of 6 months he is moody and i had just had it it is our 3rd break up for this resone but i miss him so much i feel i need to move on as it wont get better
Hi, I’m so sorry to hear that. You give very little information, but a healthy relationship doesn’t normally have 3 breakups in it. Follow your gut feel and take care of yourself first. And seek support from other people.
Join an online group, meetup? 3xs is not a charm! If you do not feel comfortable you are settling!! Being alone is not lonely! tiktok! Get an animal if you can afford it??
How does one find a support group for people with no family?