In this episode of the YRV Thought Partner Podcast, host Joyce Coffey discusses emotional loneliness with guest Diana Aleksanyan, a sophomore at NYU Abu Dhabi. They explore how young people often feel isolated despite being socially active, especially during major life transitions.

For further insights, Harvard University has addressed this issue in their talk series, "Confronting Our Epidemic of Loneliness." You can watch the discussion here: Confronting Our Epidemic of Loneliness | Education Now

Loneliness is a growing crisis among young people, deeply tied to mental health challenges like depression and anxiety. But what type of loneliness affects them most? In this episode, youth from around the world share their experiences, revealing that emotional loneliness—feeling unseen and unheard—is the most pervasive.

📢 To ensure the protection of youth participants and maximize anonymity, all youth voices in this episode are AI-generated.

Join the conversation at podcast@youthresearchvox.org.

Welcome to the first Thought-Partner episode of 2025! As we step into a brand-new year, we explore one of the most profound aspects of human connection: friendship. Anchored by a touching poem, What Is a Friend?, this episode invites listeners to reflect on the timeless essence of friendship.

Do you have a question you’d like us to answer with a poem? Send your questions to podcast@youthresearchvox.org. We look forward to featuring your question in a future episode!