You are retired, or you are growing older.
You sometimes feel lonely, lacking social connections, with emptiness in your days.
You wonder how to reconnect with others, how to find a space for conversation and sharing.
You want to understand how support groups or group therapy could help you.
This article is for you.
I remember a woman I once met in a waiting room. She quietly told me: “The days are long, especially when there’s no one to tell them to.”
That sentence stayed with me. It says everything: the emptiness, the absence of connection, the feeling of slowly disappearing from others’ awareness.
Social isolation among older adults is very real.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), one in three older adults experiences loneliness or social disconnection.
Yet it is something we rarely talk about. It’s silent, invisible… but profound.
These two terms are often confused:
With age, isolation often creeps in gradually:
I often hear: “I don’t want to bother anyone.”
And yet… everyone has the right to fully exist.
It’s not “just” sad. It’s dangerous.
The most frequent effects include:
A systematic review conducted by Kuiper et al. (2021) at Amsterdam University Medical Center (Netherlands), published in the Journal of Internal Medicine, analyzed 39 studies on the impact of social isolation on seniors.
It shows that isolation increases the risk of developing dementia by 50%.
A systematic review is a rigorous analysis of numerous studies, providing strong conclusions.
In short: isolation does not only affect mood, it also impacts memory and brain function.
Fortunately, there are spaces to rebuild connection, without pressure.
There are two types of groups:
Both approaches are complementary:
One helps with deep personal work, the other helps to break isolation and feel less alone.
Scientific studies show that these groups provide real benefits for older adults.
A systematic review conducted by Cattan et al. (2005) at Newcastle University (UK), published in Health Promotion International, examined the effectiveness of group interventions for isolated seniors.
The results show that these interventions help:
Additionally, Haslam et al. (2014), from the University of Queensland (Australia), demonstrated in Social Science & Medicine that participation in groups strengthens social identity, a key factor in older adults’ well-being.
Imagine a somewhat reserved man. He sits quietly at the edge of the circle, saying nothing.
He comes back, week after week. Then one day, he quietly says:
“I think it’s helping me, just hearing you all.”
Glances meet, smiles appear. Nothing spectacular.
But that day, something shifted.
Start gently: a phone call, a first trial session. It’s not a commitment.
Dare to reach out: sometimes the most courageous thing is simply to try.
Remember: you fully belong here. Your words, your silences, your presence matter.
At Healing Together, we deeply believe that human connection is vital at any age.
We showcase:
You don’t have to explain everything. You come as you are, and that is enough.
You can now explore the groups available on our website.
And if the time isn’t right yet, you can sign up for our newsletter to receive updates on new groups opening.
In addition to the groups we highlight on Healing Together, there are public mental health networks in Belgium, open to everyone.
But what is a “network”?
A mental health network is not a single center. It is a collaborative group of professionals and services (psychologists, social workers, nurses, peer group facilitators, etc.) working together in your region to support individuals experiencing psychological distress and their families.
You can find:
Good news: you can contact them without a medical referral, even if you’re not sure exactly what type of help you need. They are there to listen and support you.
Here are the “107” mental health networks that can support you in Belgium:
💡 Click the names to visit their websites.
For example, PsyBru is a mental health network based in Brussels. It connects individuals with local professionals and services offering psychological support, therapy, and crisis assistance.
Here is a map of mental health networks in Belgium.
You can locate your region and explore the resources available near you.
The map shared here comes from the reference site psy107.be, which centralizes official information on mental health networks in French-speaking Belgium.
In addition to the 107 networks, there are other complementary platforms that can help you find spaces for dialogue and support.
Brussels Platform for Mental Health (PBSM)
If you live in Brussels, you can explore the Brussels Platform for Mental Health.
This regional platform lists a wide variety of mental health services and highlights:
It is a valuable resource for discovering local initiatives, innovative projects, and group-based services available in the Brussels region.
PBSM serves as a coordination and information platform for everything happening in the field of mental health in Brussels.
In addition, you can explore Kalima, a platform dedicated to circles of speech, accessible both online and in-person.
Kalima offers:
It is a complementary resource that helps you find spaces for dialogue through a preventive and caring approach.
Kalima circles are suitable for anyone seeking connection, sharing, or looking to complement a therapeutic process.
Aging does not mean disappearing.
Not from others, nor from yourself.
Joining a support group or group therapy is much more than finding a space to talk.
It is about weaving new connections, finding a rhythm again, nurturing self-esteem, and strengthening mental health.
Research shows: these are powerful tools to counter the effects of isolation and to rediscover a sense of belonging.
And it is never too late for that.
Whether you choose a group offered by Healing Together or a space within your local network, the important thing is to take this first step — your step, at your own pace.
💛 “Sometimes it just takes a look, a listening ear, an outstretched hand… to feel part of the world again. Reconnecting is already beginning to heal.” 💛
Apolline, from Healing Together
