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Time of India
29-07-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Is there a magic number of friends you need to be happy? Science says yes
You wake up to a buzzing phone. Group chats, memes, event invites—it looks like a full social calendar. But when something truly heavy hits, you scroll past a hundred names, unsure who to text. Who won't make it awkward? Who will really understand? This isn't a rare crisis. It's an invisible epidemic of modern loneliness . And new research from News Corp's Growth Distillery and Medibank reveals that there may be a surprisingly specific remedy: five reliable friends . Explore courses from Top Institutes in Please select course: Select a Course Category Project Management Others Management Data Science Data Science Design Thinking Technology Digital Marketing MCA Cybersecurity Operations Management Public Policy others PGDM Product Management Finance healthcare Artificial Intelligence Data Analytics Degree Leadership MBA CXO Healthcare Skills you'll gain: Project Planning & Governance Agile Software Development Practices Project Management Tools & Software Techniques Scrum Framework Duration: 12 Weeks Indian School of Business Certificate Programme in IT Project Management Starts on Jun 20, 2024 Get Details Skills you'll gain: Portfolio Management Project Planning & Risk Analysis Strategic Project/Portfolio Selection Adaptive & Agile Project Management Duration: 6 Months IIT Delhi Certificate Programme in Project Management Starts on May 30, 2024 Get Details Why Two Friends Make All the Difference The study, recently cited by VICE, discovered a sharp contrast in mental health depending on the number of dependable people in one's life. Those with good mental health had, on average, five people they could count on. Those struggling mentally? Just over three. That seemingly small difference—just two people—is often the tipping point between feeling supported and sinking into isolation. As the report suggests, it's the line between 'I've got this' and 'I don't want to bother anyone.' Many of us tick all the social boxes—we show up, we're helpful, we laugh at the right moments. But the deeper conversations never happen. Maybe we don't want to look vulnerable. Maybe we don't know how to begin. The problem isn't apathy. It's discomfort and uncertainty. So, we stay silent, laughing off burnout and hiding real hurt behind 'busy'. The Science of Real Connection Connection isn't a bonus—it's a lifeline. And building it doesn't demand a perfectly curated support circle or a TED Talk-worthy conversation. Sometimes, all it takes is one honest message: 'I'm not okay today.' You don't need a new social app or a therapy-trained friend. You need someone who'll answer your call without judgment—and who knows you'd do the same for them. Five friends. That's the number. It may sound simple, but it's foundational. And if you're starting from scratch, don't lose heart. Even one genuine conversation can be the first step toward building your circle.
Herald Sun
25-07-2025
- Health
- Herald Sun
How menopause can damage marriages, relationships
Don't miss out on the headlines from Mental Health. Followed categories will be added to My News. Fractured friendships and strained marriages are among the hidden tolls of menopause, as experts call for a 'Me Too-style' movement to push the topic into the spotlight. New research from News Corp's Growth Distillery has revealed the profound impact menopause is having on the lives of Australians, with nearly one in five of women saying it is eroding their mental health. The research commissioned for the Can We Talk? campaign, in partnership with Medibank, found a quarter of all Gen X ranked it as a top stressor. Experts say the mental health effects of perimenopause and menopause often interfere with work, relationships and daily life, but are too often misdiagnosed or misunderstood. Women's health psychologist Leanne Mulheron said it was a 'discombobulating, challenging time' that could be a 'make or break' for many relationships. 'There's a reckoning that happens for many women because they don't have the capacity to keep managing how they were before … and that can mean re-evaluating relationships,' she said. 'Menopause is like living in your house during renovations – our brains change so much with fluctuating hormones but we're still having to parent and be friends and be carers.' A lack of understanding from partners and spouses, dwindling libido and pain during sex could also cause tension. 'Menopause is often shrouded in lots of shame, so sometimes women endure painful sex, or continue having sex despite having no desire to,' she said. 'There's a huge impact from a relationship point of view. 'Communication is key, and being explicit about how people can support you.' Ms Mulheron said a Me Too-style movement could fuel much-needed awareness and support for women. 'If we all just got up there and said 'this is what's happening to me', it could pave the way for more conversations and validate how women are feeling,' she said. Monash University HER Centre Australia director and psychiatrist Professor Jayashri Kulkarni said many studies showed a sharp rise in mental health issues in perimenopause, and added that suicidal ideation was 'frighteningly common'. Professor Jayashri Kulkarni But some women were being misdiagnosed with conditions such as bipolar disorder. She said hormonal fluctuations could be a tipping point for many issues women grappled with. 'You get the arguments of 'women in midlife have complicated lives ... it's not the hormones, it's the life things',' Professor Kulkarni said. 'Of course, it's all the life things, but there is a tipping factor. 'The woman who was coping before, suddenly can't cope. 'The tipping factor, we think, is the hormonal shifts in the brain that create the chemistry and circuitry changes that lead to mental ill health.' She said it was critical to build understanding and education about the symptoms – including anxiety, brain fog, depression, rage, loss of confidence, paranoia and fatigue – as well as treatments. Podcast host Alex Merton-McCann, 53, said she suffered through 'hormonal chaos' for years, which manifested in depression, anxiety, brain fog and withdrawing from friends and family. Alex Merton- McCann (centre) with her friends Paula Woodcock (left), and Maddie Thomson (right). Picture: Julian Andrews. 'I hit really dark times but initially no-one, including my doctors, realised it was hormone related,' she said. She found herself unable to continue with her podcast, The Grown Up Girls Report, in which she ironically explored the topic of menopause. While her husband had been very supportive, she said he didn't have the 'tools' to help her navigate the period. So she turned to her friends who helped normalise her experience. 'I felt like I was flying blind but my friends got me out of the spiral,' she said. 'The shared experience is so powerful. 'I finally feel like the windows are open again now.' Meanwhile, some big businesses are starting to take action to help women navigate the challenges. Medibank is offering staff – 70 per cent of whom are female – a fully-funded telehealth service including a consultation with a doctor and a personalised care plan. Dr Shona Sundaraj, Medibank group medical director and GP, said up to 50 per cent of women in perimenopause or menopause experienced new or heightened symptoms of anxiety. 'We need to educate women about the connection between menopause and anxiety,' she said. 'We must encourage open dialogue and work to destigmatise mental health issues during midlife.' Tips from GP Dr Shona Sundaraj, Medibank Group medical director, on navigating menopause Educate yourself and others Understanding what menopause is – and isn't – helps reduce fear and stigma. There's a lot of false information out there — lean on reliable women health resources like The Jean Hailes Foundation and educate yourself and family and friends who are supporting you. Learn about common symptoms, like hot flashes, mood swings, sleep disturbances and memory fog. Trusted information Read from reputable sources or consult healthcare providers. Share what you learn with your loved ones. Normalising menopause helps create space for honest conversations. Prioritise physical health Lifestyle choices can ease symptoms significantly. Back to basics is really important: good food, quality sleep and body movement, in particular strength training, is crucial at this stage of life. Exercise boosts your mood, maintains bone density and supports sleep. A balanced diet should focus on calcium, vitamin D, fibre and whole foods. Try to minimise intake of processed foods that will add to belly weight gain. Sleep hygiene is important. Create a calming bedtime routine and limit screen time before bed. Talk to your doctor about hormone therapy, supplements or other treatments if needed. Talk with friends and family Don't carry the emotional load alone, it also helps if your loved ones are aware of the changes you're going through. Help them understand what support looks like for you – even if it's just listening. Practice self-compassion and flexibility Menopause can be unpredictable, and some days will be harder than others. Just remember, peri-menopause and menopause are normal stages of life and any woman that is in her 40s or beyond is going through it with you. You're not alone. Give yourself permission to rest, say no, or adjust plans. Remind yourself this is a phase, not a personal failing. This is a normal stage of life. Just like childhood, puberty or having children. Empathy is important Perimenopause and menopause doesn't signify ageing, it's a transition in life. We need to acknowledge that quite often women at this stage of their life are at the peak of their careers, while looking after teenage children and helping elderly parents. This can compound how women manage. Let's create space, understanding and empathy for women in their 40s to 50s. 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.
