Ohio State working to solve the loneliness epidemic among men

Key Takeaways

• Young men are facing a loneliness crisis that may increase their risk of suicide and problems with alcohol or drug use.
• A type of talk therapy developed by Ohio State researcher Nicholas Allan addresses loneliness by encouraging real-life connections.
• The ongoing SOAR Study aims to uncover root causes of emotional distress and promote resilience.

COLUMBUS, Ohio – The loneliness epidemic affecting men is something Nicholas Allan, PhD, often encounters as part of his research at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and College of Medicine.

Loneliness and lack of social connection are widespread and pose a threat to mental and physical health.

One in four American men under 35 years old report feeling lonely, and men are less likely than women to turn to friends, family members or professionals for support.

“There's a male loneliness epidemic. You'll hear men able to admit it, but they struggle to go out there and actually get the help that they need,” said Allan, who is an associate professor with Ohio State’s Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health.

While many men feel isolated, some are drawn to the online ‘manosphere,’ a network of influencers who promote rigid ideas about masculinity and offer self-help advice that often isn’t supported by evidence, Allan said.

These toxic online communities often discourage lonely men from seeking professional help and reinforce the stigma around mental health. Their loneliness deepens, and the suicide risk climbs, Allan said.

The suicide rate among men in 2024 was nearly four times higher than the rate among women, according to a report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Allan’s research found that loneliness is strongly linked to a higher risk of suicide and problems with alcohol or drug use. Both of these issues impact men by much wider margins than women, he said. For example, men now account for nearly 80% of all suicide deaths even though they make up half of the U.S. population.

“One of the things that happens a lot of times with men is we don't like feeling upset or anxious. And so, we might instead turn to anger or irritability or substance use unfortunately,” Allan said.

Through his mental health research at Ohio State, Allan provides therapy to help young men who are often tempted to try to find connection online instead of in person.

“A lot of times when you're going into treatment, you maybe are looking for help in the same way you might from a car mechanic where you're like, ‘I'm broke, fix me.’ But when you go in for help, the message is, ‘We need to collaboratively work on this together.’ And I think sometimes that can drive people away,” Allan said.

A potential solution is the type of talk therapy (also known as cognitive behavioral therapy) that Allan has developed to treat loneliness. A major part of this therapy is helping people recognize habits that may be contributing to their loneliness.

During his research with men in rural and agricultural communities across Ohio, Allan found that many young men prioritize the number of relationships they have over the depth of those relationships. They seek connection online rather than in person.

His research is part of the larger SOAR Study, a first-of-its-kind study examining the physical, emotional and social factors that affect mental health.

The SOAR Study is a statewide coalition research initiative led by Ohio State Wexner Medical Center that seeks to better understand the factors contributing to ongoing emotional struggles, suicide and drug overdoses. It examines not only mental illness and addiction but also the factors that can help people build resilience and stay mentally healthy.

How loneliness and being alone differ

Allan’s work shows that many people mistake loneliness for being alone and focus more on the number of interactions they have than on their quality.

“You can be lonely in a room full of people, and you can be alone and not lonely at all,” Allan said.

In one statewide study in Ohio, Allan found the highest reported rates of loneliness in Cleveland and Cincinnati.

The finding suggests that simply being around other people does not reduce loneliness. People need meaningful connections, though those connections may look different for each person.

To help build meaningful in-person relationships, Allan recommends that young men start by choosing an activity. They could join a community sports team, volunteer to work on a neighbor’s home project or listen to live music. Then conversation and connection may soon follow.

“We recently tested a therapy program designed to help people overcome loneliness, and we were recruiting lonely rural and agricultural communities,” Allan said. “The study was open to both males and females. By the time we recruited 29 females, we recruited a single male. And that, I think, speaks to this problem we have where there's a male loneliness epidemic.”

Media Contact

Eileen Scahill, Ohio State Wexner Medical Center Media Relations, Eileen.Scahill@osumc.edu