The People Who Say They’re “Fine”

They show up. They get the job done. They nod in meetings. They smile politely on Teams calls. 

But quietly, behind the inboxes, behind the polite acknowledgements and the full calendars – something’s not right. 

At Sacana, we call this invisible loneliness. 

And it’s everywhere. 

Loneliness hides in plain sight 

According to the British Red Cross, over 9 million people in the UK say they often or always feel lonely – yet only a fraction of them seek support. That’s not because the support isn’t there. It’s because most support systems are designed to react to visible distress – not the kind that simmers quietly under the surface. 

In a workplace context, loneliness often wears the face of presenteeism. Of polite disengagement. Of that employee who’s never “off sick” but who’s emotionally and socially detached. 

This kind of disconnection comes at a cost. Deloitte estimates that UK employers lose billions each year through reduced productivity, staff turnover and stress-related absence. But these outcomes rarely appear out of the blue. They emerge gradually – often from unaddressed emotional strain. 

We need to talk about the quiet ones 

In many organisations, the focus of wellbeing support still sits with crisis. Therapy referrals. Absence monitoring. Late-stage escalation. 

But what about the people who won’t flag that they’re struggling? What about the team members who won’t raise their hand, or who’d never request counselling for something that doesn’t feel like a “real problem”? 

These are the people Sacana is built for. 

Structured support – before the spiral 

Sacana offers a preventative, stigma-free connection model. We match users – whether employees or their elderly relatives – with trained Matrons who hold real-time, structured one-to-one conversations. It’s not therapy. It’s not casual befriending. It’s intentional, protective human contact. 

And here’s the difference: users don’t have to ask for it. There’s no need to disclose a problem. The service is always available – easy to access, private, and designed to support both emotional continuity and cognitive wellbeing. 

By offering this quiet but vital support early, we can prevent far greater disruption later. Whether that’s in the form of employee disengagement, mental health deterioration, or escalating care needs in a family context. 

The role of employers 

There’s growing recognition that employee wellbeing goes far beyond stress management workshops and mindfulness subscriptions. 

What people really need is connection. Safe, regular, structured human interaction that validates their experiences – even when those experiences are quiet. 

In this way, employers can move beyond box-ticking and start addressing the real root causes of disengagement. They can reach the employees who are still turning up every day, still saying they’re “fine” – and still slipping further away. 

Quiet support. Powerful outcomes. 

Sacana isn’t flashy. It doesn’t ask for attention. But its impact is undeniable. We’ve seen how structured connection can shift mood, reduce isolation, delay more costly interventions, and help individuals – both working professionals and those they care for – feel seen. 

Because sometimes, the loudest cries for help come from the people who say nothing at all. 

Let’s listen better. Let’s act earlier. Let’s build a culture where “fine” isn’t the only option. 

Talk. Connect. Thrive. 
Sacana: Structured Connection for Employees and Their Loved Ones. 

Let's connect at enquiries@sacana.com