Ways to support young people experiencing loneliness and bullying

This episode focuses on research from a recent study on young people’s experiences of loneliness in school settings. The research redefines loneliness not as created by the social dynamics that exist within schools rather than stemming from isolation. It highlights how harmful social interactions, such as bullying, shape emotional experiences and create environments that increase loneliness.    

Guest host Nadia Rossi is joined by the authors of the co-designed study, Amber Brock-Fabel (Founder, SA Youth Forum) and Dr Ben Lohmeyer (Senior Lecturer in Social Policy, College of Education, Psychology and Social Work, Flinders University). They discuss the implications of the study’s results for young people’s wellbeing; the importance of creating safe spaces for young people within and outside the school environment; and what practitioners and families can do to best support them.   

This is our second episode focused on Amber and Ben’s co-designed study about loneliness. You can listen to the first episode here: 

How is loneliness impacting young people in Australia? 

In this episode, you will learn about:  

• creating safe spaces for young people within and outside of the school environment [01:30] 

• the role of collaboration, co-design and youth voice [07:25]  

• what practitioners can do to support young people experiencing issues like bullying and loneliness [11:04]  

• the study’s findings on advice young people have for addressing bullying and loneliness [15:17] 

Further information and resources:  

Research paper 

Lohmeyer, B. & South Australian Youth Forum. (2025). Affective economies of loneliness in school: Bullying, violence and undesirable social connections. Critical Studies in Education. Advance online publication. DOI: 10.1080/17508487.2025.2555310.    

Online courses 

Understanding childhood bullying and mental health  

Podcasts 

Supporting children who experience bullying  

Supporting children who engage in bullying 

Practice paper 

Key considerations for practitioners responding to childhood bullying