Modern issues People
Loneliness and isolation
Around us, some people go days without anyone speaking to them.
Understand
Take action
- Call someone you haven't spoken to in a long time. For no particular reason, that is exactly the point.
- Check in on a neighbour who lives alone. A regular hello is worth more than a rare long visit.
- Give a few hours to an organization near you, many need presence above all.
- Offer a ride or to run an errand for someone with limited mobility.
- Invite someone on their own to a meal or an activity you already do. Including costs little.
Resources and help
Québec's volunteering resources are already listed and verified in our directory, we do not duplicate them here.
Organizations
- Je BénévoleverifiedProvince-wide platform matching volunteers with organizations.Verified in July 2026
- Fédération des centres d'action bénévole du QuébecverifiedBrings together and supports Québec's volunteer action centres.Verified in July 2026
- Réseau de l'action bénévole du QuébecverifiedProvince-wide network promoting volunteer action.Verified in July 2026
- 211 QuébecverifiedFree service that points you to a volunteer action centre near you.Verified in July 2026
- Centraide QuébecverifiedRegional network across Québec for getting involved.Verified in July 2026
- Devenir bénévole - Gouvernement du QuébecverifiedOfficial page explaining the steps to become a volunteer.Verified in July 2026
Tools
Did you know?
Go further
Loneliness is a health risk, not a character flawThe WHO set up a commission on it. Its vocabulary is that of public health, and its figures are of the size normally reserved for diseases.7 min read
Feeling alone is not being isolated, the WHO measures bothThe two words get used as if one were a milder version of the other. The WHO makes them two indicators, and they do not land on the same people.7 min read
Someone is pulling away: how to stay present without pushingInsist or stop: both reflexes answer the same question. It is not the one the WHO's definition asks.7 min read
Myth and reality
"Loneliness means being alone."
Being alone and feeling alone are two different things. Someone can be surrounded, by family, colleagues, neighbours, and still feel deeply isolated. That is why attentive presence matters as much as presence itself.
Recognize yourself in this page? You can talk to someone right now, free and without judgment: dial 811 and press 2 (Info-Social), answered 24/7. If things are really bad, 988 answers too, by call or text. Talk to someone now And if you are looking for resources near you instead, the directory is here. Open the directory