UNDERSTANDING STUDENT LONELINESS:

HOW PARENTS CAN HELP

INTRODUCTION

My name is Arianna Cammisa!

am Binghamton Alumni (Class of 2022!)

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Currently, I work as a Mental Health Specialist with B-Healthy: Healthy Campus Initiative!

QUICK ICEBREAKER

What is your biggest concern about your student right now?

How is everyone doing?

48.2% of student respondents scored positively for loneliness on the UCLA Loneliness Scale (ULS3)

IN FALL 2024

IN SPRING 2025

RELATIONSHIPS

STRESS

LONELINESS IS COMMON

46.7% of student respondents scored positively for loneliness on the UCLA Loneliness Scale (ULS3)

22.8% of student respondents reported struggling with peers, and 35.1% with an intimate relationship (Spring 2025).

50.8% of student respondents reported struggling with a moderate level of stress (Spring 2025).

Lonliness can look like....

• Feeling isolated even in a group.
• Sensing a gap between desired and actual connection.
• Feeling like everyone else has it figured out but you.
• Feeling negatively, or dejected, when spending time alone (enjoying being alone is known as ‘solitude’ and is different from feeling lonely).

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Leaving home, being in a new social environment, missing family and friends.

TRANSITION STRESS

Seeing social media posts and comparing own experiences to those depicted online. American media perceptions of college being the “best years” or finding a close knit group of friends.

SOCIAL COMPARISON

Struggles with academic stressors, a packed schedule, or managing time. Stress can compound over time and affect all aspects of well-being, including social relationships and willingness to take risks.

ACADEMIC STRESS

Exploring new identities and roles in a new social setting. Feeling unsure of one’s place on campus or in peer groups.

IDENTITY EXPLORATION

WHY STUDENTS MAY STRUGGLE WITH CONNECTION

EMOTIONAL EFFECTS

ACADEMIC

EFFECTS

PHYSICAL EFFECTS

Feeling lonely can lead to feelings of anxiety or depression. Some students may question their self-worth or self-image.

Feeling lonely can lead to issues with focus, and dips in academic motivation. Students may procrastinate more, experience issues with memory, and struggle to stay on task.

Feeling lonely can lead to poor sleep, poor nutrition or eating habits and other physical manifestations of stress (headaches, stomach aches, back & neck pain, etc).

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• You don’t have to fix it or have all the answers — being there to support them means more than you know.
• Empathy and encouragement matter most.
• Ask open-ended questions
• “What surprised you most about campus life?”
• “Who makes you feel most comfortable?”
• “What’s something you’d like to try?”
• Focus on validating feelings
• Encourage healthy habits
• Suggest activities (without pressure)
• Share your own experiences

ENCOURAGE YOUR STUDENTS TO GET SUPPORT

University Counseling Center

M-F, 8:30am-5pm

(607)777-2772

Individual Counseling (NO waitlist!)

Groups (Movement, Skill Building, Processing)

Urgent Appointments

After Hours Phone

Zoom Rooms

Parent Consultations

Other Resources

Decker Student Health Services

The CARE Team

SEEK: Student Support Line

Residential Life Support Staff

Student Transition Success Center

Services for Students with Disabilities

VARCC

B-Engaged

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THANK YOU