Loneliness in Louisiana: What You Need to Know About Social Isolation in the Bayou State

Loneliness is a serious problem in America, so real that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services created an entire handbook on the epidemic of loneliness and isolation. Louisiana is no stranger to feeling alone, according to the U.S. Census Bureau in 2024 almost 40% of the state felt feelings of being alone.

Feeling isolated can be mentally devastating, which is why it's important now more than ever that we know what the epidemic of loneliness really is.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau's Household Pulse Survey for the summer of 2024, 39.91% of Louisiana felt feelings of loneliness. The survey finds that Louisiana is in the upper half of states when it comes to feelings of loneliness.

The reason why social isolation is treated like a medical epidemic is because the lack of social connection can have negative effects not just on their mental health but can lower their physical standard of health, of course in the most extreme circumstances social isolation can lead people to dark places and bad decisions.

Get our free mobile app

The Bayou State is ranked as the 22nd most lonely state in America, backed by the fact suicide is the 3rd leading cause of death for teenagers and young adults in the state. According to the Louisiana Department of Health, for every death by suicide, there are 25 more attempts, a terrifying number to consider.

The reason for the growing epidemic of social isolation in America doesn't have a great answer, more or less being a collection of answers that feels all too common today. According to researchers at Harvard, some of the key factors causing loneliness were low income, internet/technology, and being overworked were just a few examples.