One in every four people has had to spend festivals alone, and this has left 66% feeling sad

Lonely blues in festive times

One in every four people has had to spend festivals alone, and this has left 66% feeling sad, lonely and disconnected, according to a survey by a global research firm in India’s big cities. The study, which interviewed nearly 2,000 people, found that a whopping 85% Mumbaikars believe money equals happiness, but because of work pressures and lifestyle changes 46% young adults said they are lonely; 77% wish they had someone to share their highs and lows with. The survey was conducted by Cadbury Celebrations in partnership with Ipsos in Delhi, Mumbai, Chandigarh, Jaipur, Ahmedabad, Pune and Lucknow. Linking loneliness to the rising number of depression cases in the city, Dr Parul Tank, consultant psychiatrist at Fortis hospital, said, “The city has seen a sudden upsurge in depression, and the festive season is one of the reasons. With so many people living alone in the city, they tend to feel lonely and abandoned. They don’t have anyone to share their feelings with.” While, in the West, depression and loneliness is seen the most in December, the month of Christmas and New Year’s Eve, in India, it’s seen during October-November when Dussehra-Diwali is celebrated. Dr Harish Shetty, senior psychiatrist at Hiranandani hospital, said, “We get at least eight people every day with suicidal thoughts.” The survey showed that 82% Mumbaikars feel they have friends who they haven’t met in years and 60% feel they are losing touch with their emotional side due to overdependence on technology. Doctors say the city’s fast-paced life can’t be changed, but one can connect to people during good times so that they have someone to share their lows with. “At workplace, while travelling in trains, buses, people should make friends and share thoughts. It’s important so that they can talk to them during a low phase instead of waiting for relatives to be by their side,” said Shetty.