It’s difficult being single on Valentine’s Day.

While most couples are having special dinners and giving gifts, single people can feel left out.

Melissa King, a junior from Howell, Mich., said she is opposed to Valentine’s Day.

“Love is something you should show everyday,” King said.

Somerset sophomore Jon Peppers said he’s not spending any money on any women. If he had a girlfriend, Peppers said he wouldn’t spend more than $15.

“I think it’s a woman’s holiday,” Peppers said.

Single people are usually lonelier than couples on holidays and suicide rates for single people are also higher, said associate psychology professor Rick Grieve said. He said that as social pressure to have a Valentine increases, it can cause stress levels to rise.

Grieve said people deal with being single by learning to cope.

A person’s attitude about being single determines how they will feel about being single on Valentine’s Day, Grieve said.

If people are worried about being alone then they will feel alone. But if people aren’t worried about it, they will feel better, Grieve said.

Barbourville sophomore Londa Williamson has sent flowers to a friend on Valentine’s Day since high school. Williamson sends a yellow rose to her friend and her friend sends a black rose to Williamson, their favorite colors.

Social activities can decrease depression, Grieve said.

“Go out with friends, have fun,” Grieve said.

Reach Bobby Harrell at [email protected].