Latest news with #CanWeTalk?
New York Post
31-05-2025
- Health
- New York Post
Aussie influencer Sam Guggenheimer: Social media is a highlight reel
Influencer Sam Guggenheimer, who boasts hundreds of thousands of online followers, is urging people to protect their well-being by not comparing their lives to the 'highlight reels' we see on social media. The 23-year-old has opened up about the mental health struggles she has experienced since her early teens as part of New Corp Australia's Can We Talk? campaign, in partnership with Medibank. Advertisement 'From depression to anxiety and overcoming an aggressive eating disorder, mental health challenges have been a constant part of my journey,' Guggenheimer said. 'They've shaped me into the person I am today. 'Although some of the darkest days felt never-ending, there was always a part of me that knew there was light at the end of the tunnel.' In a job with no set hours, the popular podcaster who has more than 349,000 followers on TikTok said her mental lows could manifest as fatigue, where even simple tasks felt draining and overwhelming. Advertisement 'During these times, I struggle to focus, feel unmotivated, and notice a real dip in my creativity,' she said. Guggenheimer, who is based in Melbourne, said she could lose interest in usually joyful activities and sometimes felt 'stuck, just going through the motions without real purpose.' TikTok influencer Sam Guggenheimer, 23, tells her followers that to protect their well-being, they should not compare their lives to the 'highlight reels' we see on social media. Sam Guggenheimer/Instagram But she has been candid with her followers about her struggles — something she has found 'incredibly powerful.' Advertisement 'It not only helps me feel less alone but also provides other girls with the reassurance that life isn't perfect and polished all the time — and that's okay,' she said. Guggenheimer said she had worked 'really hard' to improve her mental health, and found that have a strong routine was 'crucial' for maintaining a stable mindset. 'I've fallen in love with the gym and working out, and being physically active every day has truly transformed my self-esteem and my belief in my ability to overcome challenges,' she explained. Guggenheimer said with so much access to people's 'curated lives online', it was easy to fall into the trap of comparison. Advertisement Guggenheimer has opened up about her mental health struggles for the New Corp Australia's Can We Talk? campaign. Sam Guggenheimer/Instagram 'This often leads to feelings of isolation and makes it harder to form real, meaningful connections, which can take a toll on self-esteem,' she said. Guggenheimer said she resonated deeply with the 'Can We Talk?' message because it encouraged tough, honest conversations. 'Being vulnerable, whether online or in real life, can feel daunting, but it also creates real connection and understanding,' she said. 'It reminds everyone that no one's life is perfect — and having these conversations can truly save lives.' Her advice to others struggling was 'be kind to yourself.' 'We are often our own worst critics and can be incredibly harsh on ourselves — in ways we would never treat another person,' she said. Advertisement 'Don't beat yourself up over mistakes or imperfections; show yourself the same care and compassion you would offer someone you love.' She encouraged people to build positive and sustainable habits for their well-being. 'Whether it's signing up for a new gym program, going for a walk to your local cafe every morning, or setting aside time for activities you love — physical movement … releases endorphins and boosts your mood naturally,' she said. Advertisement 'Lastly, lean on the people around you.' 'Build and nurture your real-life relationships.' 'Remember: what you see online is often just a highlight reel.' For confidential and free support for eating disorders call the Butterfly National Helpline on 1800 ED HOPE or visit to chat online or email.
Mercury
28-05-2025
- Health
- Mercury
Calls to Medibank mental health service more than double after Can We Talk? launch
Don't miss out on the headlines from Mental Health. Followed categories will be added to My News. More Australians are reaching out for help and having conversations about their mental health since the launch of News Corp's Can We Talk? campaign. The awareness campaign, in partnership with Medibank, was launched in March to help families open up about their mental health and push for greater government funding. Providing simple solutions and valuable support information has been a priority of the Can We Talk? series published across our daily news platforms. Over the next week, the series will focus on the impact anxiety is having on Australians and how we can take action. Medibank has reported a significant increase in support requests since the Can We Talk? campaign launched, with calls to its dedicated 24/7 Medibank Mental Health Support service more than doubling from February to April. Weeks after the campaign began, the federal government committed $1bn to fund free public mental health services, such as new and upgraded Medicare Mental Health Centres and funding for more headspace centres to help young Australians. Medibank chief executive officer David Koczkar. Supplied It has also committed to establishing the new National Early Intervention Service from the start of 2026, which the government estimates 150,000 Australians will access each year for free early mental health support without waiting for a GP referral. Medibank chief executive David Koczkar said it was important to have continued awareness and open conversations about mental health. 'While it's concerning that many Australians are struggling with their mental health, it's very encouraging to see more people taking that important first step by reaching out and speaking to a professional,' Mr Koczkar said. 'The aim of our awareness campaign is to get more people talking about their mental health and to make it a national priority. 'We want to break the stigma around mental health and encourage more people to seek help if they need it – that first step is often the hardest. 'We're encouraging people to look at their mental health in the same way they do their physical health, mental fitness is just as important as physical fitness.' Medibank chief medical officer Dr Andrew Wilson's top tips for managing anxiety 1. Make time for sleep: When you get proper sleep, you improve your ability to cope with stress. If you don't get enough sleep, it can exacerbate your anxiety symptoms and make you feel worse. 2. Move your body: Your body produces a number of hormones during exercise that help reduce anxiety symptoms. Even a brisk 30-minute walk can help reduce the feelings of anxiety. 3. Balanced diet, full of healthy foods: Having a nutrient-rich diet is great for your overall health and wellbeing. Having a poor diet can negatively impact mood and energy levels. 4. Connect with family and friends: Talk to those close to you about your feelings. Don't keep them bottled up. 5. Meditation or relaxation exercises: Meditation brings people back to the present and can help to reduce negative thoughts. There are a number of apps that offer guided meditation exercises which is a good start. 6. Improve your mental fitness: Much like your physical fitness, your mental fitness is just as important and can strengthen your brain to deal with difficult situations. 7. Practice being a 'cup half full' person: Even if it's for just 5-10 minutes a day. Try to see the positive in situations and see if that helps improve your mental outlook. 8. Keep a diary: To help track your anxiety and see if there are any particular things that trigger it. 9. Practice regular slower breathing: Breathing at a slower rate (around 10 breaths per minute) can help alleviate feelings of anxiety. 10. Confront situation specific anxiety: This may sound counterintuitive, but gradual exposure to anxiety situations, when the anxiety is specific to that situation, can actually help. For example, if you get anxiety from public speaking, do a speech or presentation in front of loved ones. Can We Talk? is a News Corp awareness campaign, in partnership with Medibank, helping Australian families better tackle mental wellbeing. To follow the series and access all stories, tips and advice, visit our new Health section. Originally published as Calls to Medibank mental health service more than double after Can We Talk? launch
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Oxford United holds suicide prevention training
Oxford United has delivered its first day of suicide prevention training for all of its players and staff. The club partnered with Baton of Hope in February to become the first professional football club to sign up to the charity's workplace pledge. It was taken on the third anniversary of the death of Oxford United legend Joey Beauchamp, who took his own life at home in Kidlington in 2022. Mike McCarthy, Baton of Hope co-founder, said it was about "opening conversations and getting people to talk". The club's partnership with the charity forms part of its Can We Talk? campaign to tackle the stigma around mental health and suicide. It was launched on World Mental Health Day in October 2024 in partnership with the Joey Beauchamp Foundation. United first team player and Baton of Hope ambassador Will Vaulk, who lost his two grandfathers to suicide, lead the campaign and said he wanted to "have an impact on making a change". Can We Talk? founder Ryan Maher said the club had recognised "through its own past and its own history that there is a real deep connection to suicide with Oxford United and the county". "Footballers are people that people look up to," he said. "There's an audience here of people who are majority men and unfortunately with suicides, the majority of cases are men. "We've already seen such an impact... we are making a difference, which is so amazing. "But we're not going to stop there, we want to improve that." Mr McCarthy, whose son took his own life in February 2021, said men in particular "find it very hard, if not impossible, to open up about the emotional challenges that we all go through". "Unless we normalise conversations about it, nothing's going to change." He said he had found out that employers were "afraid" to tackle the issue. "That's where we come in - we guide and help employers to be able to keep their staff safe and well and to recognise that mental health is every bit as important as physical health," he said. Personnel at team sponsor and heating company Baxi have also taken part in the training. Paul Haynes from the company said he had lost a family member and a good friend to suicide. He said: "It resonated with us... and we feel it's really important that through the power of sport you can help spread the word. "But also within industry, we want to say that it is OK to talk." If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this story you can visit BBC Action Line. You can follow BBC Oxfordshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram. Mental health issues 'not weakness' - Oxford coach Oxford United Baton of Hope Joey Beauchamp Foundation
BBC News
30-04-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Oxford United's suicide prevention training 'opens conversations'
Oxford United has delivered its first day of suicide prevention training for all of its players and club partnered with Baton of Hope in February to become the first professional football club to sign up to the charity's workplace was taken on the third anniversary of the death of Oxford United legend Joey Beauchamp, who took his own life at home in Kidlington in McCarthy, Baton of Hope co-founder, said it was about "opening conversations and getting people to talk". The club's partnership with the charity forms part of its Can We Talk? campaign to tackle the stigma around mental health and was launched on World Mental Health Day in October 2024 in partnership with the Joey Beauchamp Foundation. United first team player and Baton of Hope ambassador Will Vaulk, who lost his two grandfathers to suicide, lead the campaign and said he wanted to "have an impact on making a change".Can We Talk? founder Ryan Maher said the club had recognised "through its own past and its own history that there is a real deep connection to suicide with Oxford United and the county"."Footballers are people that people look up to," he said."There's an audience here of people who are majority men and unfortunately with suicides, the majority of cases are men."We've already seen such an impact... we are making a difference, which is so amazing."But we're not going to stop there, we want to improve that." Mr McCarthy, whose son took his own life in February 2021, said men in particular "find it very hard, if not impossible, to open up about the emotional challenges that we all go through"."Unless we normalise conversations about it, nothing's going to change."He said he had found out that employers were "afraid" to tackle the issue."That's where we come in - we guide and help employers to be able to keep their staff safe and well and to recognise that mental health is every bit as important as physical health," he at team sponsor and heating company Baxi have also taken part in the Haynes from the company said he had lost a family member and a good friend to said: "It resonated with us... and we feel it's really important that through the power of sport you can help spread the word."But also within industry, we want to say that it is OK to talk." If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this story you can visit BBC Action Line. You can follow BBC Oxfordshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
Yahoo
20-02-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
'We want football fans to realise they can seek help'
Oxford United has become the first professional football club to sign up for a suicide prevention charity's workplace pledge. Its new partnership with Baton of Hope will see the club deliver in-house personal suicide prevention training to all of its players and staff. U's first team player Will Vaulks said the topic was something he was "incredibly passionate" about, having lost two grandparents to suicide. The pledge comes on the third anniversary of the death of Oxford United legend Joey Beauchamp, who took his own life at home in Kidlington in 2022. Vaulks, who is an ambassador for Baton of Hope, said: "It's been a long time since I lost my granddads, and now I feel I want to have an impact on making a change - instead of me just coming on and talking about my loss, I want to actually put things in place that prevent suicides." "We want our fans to listen to these things and realise that they can talk, they can seek help," the 31-year-old told BBC Radio Oxford. He said men were "notoriously not great" at talking about their mental health, but added: "That's where football brings us all together - the match day talking about the game, you could actually just delve a little bit deeper with your friends." "You guys and girls in the stands, just have a little bit more of a conversation about each other - maybe stop slagging off my first touch for a minute and check on your mate next to you," Vaulks added. Founded in 2023 by two fathers who lost their sons to suicide, Baton of Hope was established with the vision of creating a zero-suicide society. Mike McCarthy, whose son took his own life four years ago, said the charity's workplace pledge was a "kind of kitemark for best practice when it comes to suicide prevention in the workplace". On Oxford United's commitment to the pledge he said: "People look up to these guys and respect them and they listen to them, and to have role models like that embracing the idea that we should all think about suicide in the workplace and suicide prevention is incredibly important. "They're doing something practical to try and make a change for the future, and I can't thank them enough for the way that they've embraced this." The new partnership forms part of the club's suicide prevention and mental health initiative, Can We Talk?, which was launched in October 2024. Suicide is currently the largest killer of men under the age of 50 in UK. If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this story you can visit BBC Action Line. You can follow BBC Oxfordshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram. Joey Beauchamp remembered three years on from death Mental health issues 'not weakness' - Oxford coach Oxford United Baton of Hope
