After the Corona years, young people are particularly affected: loneliness is a danger to democracy and it makes you sick. But there are ways out – from special apps to “listening kiosks”.
Rush hour traffic at the Emilienstrasse subway station in Hamburg. People rush across the platform, others stare into the tunnel or scroll on their smartphones. An older woman stands in front of the kiosk between the tracks, her gaze wandering over the finds in the shop windows – old photo books, a ship in a bottle, wooden figurines, toy cars. She smiles, frowns. Does she see the flyers in the brochure rack? They say: “Fortune or unhappiness. I’m listening! Free of charge, voluntary, confidential, anonymous if you wish.”