Latest news with #Medibank
News.com.au
an hour ago
- General
- News.com.au
The real reason Gen Z are so sad and anxious is not what you think
It seems extraordinary when we think about it, but the younger generation seems to have actually listened to all that we are saying, and have taken it on board. They have believed our story that we have ruined their world and that there is no reason to think positively about the future. They have heard us, and believed, when we have told them that we have caused an enormous environmental crisis – that we did it and that we can't fix it. That it is up to them but is really a hopeless task. They have accepted it when we tell them that they should not expect to be able to afford to buy their own home, and that our Great Australian Dream is dead to them. They have bought into our story that we had a glorious past but they will not have a glorious future. This has made them sad. And anxious. A recent survey revealed that Gen Zers are anxious, about work stress, about their health, about the environment, and about being anxious. We have told them that the world is bad and they are anxious about that. Australia is in the grips of a mental health crisis, and people are struggling to know who to turn to, especially our younger generations. Can We Talk? is a News Corp awareness campaign, in partnership with Medibank, equipping Aussies with the skills needs to have the most important conversation of their life. Parents reading this may be surprised, as most things that we tell our kids are dismissed as not relevant. We have tried to teach them to save, to settle down, to make a future – and that is not necessarily accepted as wisdom. However, they have taken on the bad news and are reacting to it. The story is actually worse than that. If they would just heed our warning and save for their own home, recycle, turn off the lights when they leave the room, reduce their consumerism, then they would be heeding us and heading for a good future. They could do what previous generations have done and shown their elders that they can do it better and they can improve the world. That's what has happened for decades. However, this generation seem to have become paralysed and hopeless – without the resources to manage hopelessness and change their behaviour. In our continual talk about mental illness and teaching everyone to check in to make sure that their friend and neighbour and family member is okay, I wonder whether we have made it somehow not okay to be feeling a bit low, or worried about an upcoming exam or talk or evaluation. People are seeking to be excused when emotional challenges are tough, starting at school, where what should be seen as normal anxiety about doing a presentation is accepted as a reason not to do that presentation – thus not giving the child the practise in surviving a stressful situation and discovering that we can do things even when they are difficult and scary. This has contributed to young people having no response to the pessimistic narratives we have shared with them about their futures, and the lack of fight that we expected. We need to continue to check in that those in our purview are okay – but also know and convey that it is okay to feel sad or scared or lonely or anxious, as long as we can find ways to deal with those feelings, either by ourselves or with help from others. The RUOK? we ask should not be begging for a 'Yes' answer – it should always be RUOK meeting the challenges you currently have? Would you like some support? Are you building your strength and skills to deal with life? That is when you are okay. Being okay needs to be understood as being able to tolerate a range of emotions. We need to recognise that in order to feel joy, we need to be able to feel sadness; that anxiety and excitement can feel exactly the same; that life has challenges that we need to be able to face and then move on. It is clear that sharing the good and the bad times make life easier and better, that loneliness can play with our minds and interfere with our capacity to manage the hard times. If we can help each other through the good and the bad times, by supporting each other in confronting and surviving challenges, the whole community will be more resilient and be able to support its members to be strong and content and optimistic.
News.com.au
3 hours ago
- Entertainment
- News.com.au
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 wellbeing 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. '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, thepopular podcasterwho has more than 349,000 followers on TikTok said her mental lows could manifest as fatigue, where even simple tasks felt draining and overwhelming. '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'. But she has been candid with her followers about her struggles — something she has found 'incredibly powerful'. '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. Australia is in the grips of a mental health crisis, and people are struggling to know who to turn to, especially our younger generations. Can We Talk? is a News Corp awareness campaign, in partnership with Medibank, equipping Aussies with the skills needs to have the most important conversation of their life. 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. '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. '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 wellbeing. '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. '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.'
News.com.au
13 hours ago
- General
- News.com.au
‘Falling apart': Huge issue 1 in 6 Australians are battling
Many women expect that bringing a child into the world will be one of the happiest times of their entire lives. While that might be true for some, the pivotal life experience can illicit a whole range of unexpected emotions that go against the norm of what society says new parents are meant to feel. For mum Jaimi, while she was over the moon to become a mother, she never anticipated the psychological rollercoaster she was about to embark on. The 31-year-old from Sydney explained that for as long as she could remember, she had felt like she was simply an 'anxious person' and did not realise it could be a mental health issue. Australia is in the grips of a mental health crisis, and people are struggling to know who to turn to, especially our younger generations. Can We Talk? is a News Corp awareness campaign, in partnership with Medibank, equipping Aussies with the skills needs to have the most important conversation of their life. Diagnosed with anxiety and depression at 16, she went on medication for a while which helped, but was re-diagnosed when she 22 and living in London. Despite these low points, Jaimi never felt like it was taking over her entire life. That is, until she fell pregnant. What was once something that came in waves and she felt she could manage soon transformed into a debilitating illness that impacted every facet of her life. 'While pregnant with my son, I was hospitalised twice due to anxiety around my pregnancy.' the small business owner told 'I was incredibly scared that he wasn't okay and kept having intrusive thoughts that I had miscarried. 'It was traumatising and incredibly scary. I had panic attacks and was so overwhelmed with fear that I couldn't shake the feelings I had or try to calm myself. 'It certainly didn't help that we were in lockdown at the time.' After giving birth to her son in 2022, the feelings only intensified, and she was diagnosed with postnatal depression and anxiety. 'I was incredibly overwhelmed and worried about my son,' she recalled. 'Checking on him constantly to see if he was breathing, completely consumed by how much he was eating and constantly stressed to the point of tears that he wasn't eating enough. 'I was really struggling and having a baby made my anxiety so much worse than it had ever been. 'I could no longer ignore it or pass it off as fears of a new mother. It was debilitating and affecting my relationship with my husband and son. 'It was prolonged and didn't go away or get better. My son's eating was a really big part of my anxiety as I was incredibly stressed about him putting on weight and being healthy. 'I had a lot of issues with breastfeeding and this was a massive trigger for me and definitely contributed to my anxiety. 'I was an emotional wreck and so consumed with guilt and worry that I was just falling apart.' The experience of being a new mum paired with crippling anxiety and postnatal depression was one of the most difficult times of Jaimi's life. She explained that it felt like a constant 'heavy weight' that she just could not shake. 'For me, it just felt like a heavy weight, weighing me down constantly,' she revealed. 'I couldn't get rid of this really heavy feeling. It is so debilitating and you feel like no one else around you understands. 'I couldn't explain my fears or feelings properly which only made things more difficult. I didn't know what I was feeling as this was a totally overwhelming situation that I hadn't ever faced. 'I just felt like everything was dark and heavy, even when people were there, the world around me felt isolating and dark.' Thankfully, Jaimi's GP caught on that something wasn't quite right when she went in for her newborn's immunisations and requested a follow up appointment. It was then she was officially diagnosed with postnatal depression and anxiety. Thanks to her doctor picking up on the signs, she was able to get the help she needed. 'I was put on medication which was a tremendous help,' she said. 'I've been medicated ever since and it is an incredible help and relief. I later saw a psychiatrist and was diagnosed with ADHD, which often has depression and anxiety attached as symptoms. 'This is something I didn't know and wish more people understood.' The mum is currently pregnant with her second child and thankfully, it has been smooth-sailing. 'The medication helped tremendously and I feel like I have my symptoms under control, even now while I'm pregnant,' she said. 'Pregnancy was a huge source of anxiety for me and this pregnancy has been so much better in terms of my anxiety. 'I feel a lot lighter, I'm more calm and I am feeling excited about it this time around.' Jaimi is sharing her story to help raise awareness for PND and anxiety and hopes that it can help others feel less alone in their struggles. 'People think of mental health as a 'buzzword' rather than a debilitating disease that affects far more people than it seems,' she added. 'Anxiety can be completely overwhelming and consuming and can seriously affect a person and their loved ones lives. 'I want people to understand that they're not alone. There is support and you can find a community of people who will help you, even when others won't. 'You shouldn't live in a constant state of anxiety, worry and isolation.'
News.com.au
17 hours ago
- Business
- News.com.au
‘Something has to give': Warning Australia can't ignore any longer
There is a deeply concerning phenomenon on the rise across the country and, as Australians, unless we make a real change, it is only going to get worse. New research has found money and financial concerns have the most significant impact on the mental wellbeing of all Australians, affecting 48 per cent of the population, followed by stress and anxiety. New research by News Corp's Growth Distillery with Medibank has painted a worrying picture of how Aussies are coping with everyday stressors like work and their finances. Researchers surveyed more than 2500 people aged 18 and over, finding the most commonly experienced, frequent and impactful stressor is feeling financially behind or guilty about spending money, with over 60 per cent of respondents indicating it happens most frequently and has the most significant impact on their mental wellbeing. When it comes to the workplace, deadlines and intense workloads were identified by one in give as major sources of stress. The pressure felt when it comes to work stressors also increases with income level, with 28 per cent of higher income respondents saying they lack downtime and feel overburdened, compared to 12 per cent of those on lower incomes. Australia is in the grips of a mental health crisis, and people are struggling to know who to turn to, especially our younger generations. Can We Talk? is a News Corp awareness campaign, in partnership with Medibank, equipping Aussies with the skills needs to have the most important conversation of their life. 'Something has to give' Mindset Consulting Psychology clinical psychologist Dr Aileen Alegado told unaddressed workplace and financial stress can have serious long-term consequences, both on individuals and the wider Australian community. 'When we don't address workplace and financial stress, we're essentially asking our bodies and minds to run a marathon while carrying heavy backpacks - eventually, something has to give,' she said. 'From a neurobiological perspective, chronic stress keeps our amygdala - our brain's alarm system - constantly activated, while simultaneously suppressing our prefrontal cortex, which handles decision-making and emotional regulation.' This then leads to what Dr Alegado described as a 'cascade effect' as chronic stress hormones like cortisol go further than just impacting mood, they can compromise immune function, disrupt sleep architecture, and shrink our brain's memory centre, known as the hippocampus. This can manifest as an array of issues, such as increased rates of anxiety, depression, cardiovascular disease and cognitive difficulties - all of which can persist even after the initial stressor is removed. But there is a big reason this is so concerning for Australia has a whole. Stress is contagious, according to Dr Alegado. 'When individuals are chronically stressed, it ripples through families, communities, and workplaces,' she said. 'We're seeing increased domestic violence rates, children developing anxiety disorders at younger ages, and what researchers call 'secondary trauma' in healthcare and social service workers who are supporting increasingly distressed populations.' Looking at it from an economic through an economic lens, these impacts can lead to a vicious cycle. A stressed-out worker is more likely to be absent from their job and be less productive. Dr Alegado noted Australian businesses are reporting unprecedented turnover rates, warning 'we're losing institutional knowledge faster than we can rebuild it.' 'It's like trying to fill a bucket with holes in it - the economic cost of not addressing mental health is far greater than the investment required to support it,' she said. 'Taboo' topic widening generational rifts When we look further into the impact of financial and work stressors on Australians, it is clear there is also a deeper generational divide that needs to be considered. For Baby Boomers and pre-Boomers, the biggest reported stressors relate to health declines and loss, along with worrying about their loved ones' wellbeing. Gen X are burdened by peak financial responsibilities, such as mortgages and retirement planning, while also managing health issues that can come with ageing. Millennials are grappling with the financial strain of housing and childcare costs, while also juggling their family and work lives. One in four in this generation said they feel overburdened daily due to career demands, family responsibilities and social expectations, citing a distinct lack of downtime. Gen Z face intense stress of academic and early career pressures, all of which are heighten by social media and societal expectation. The research found that close to 40 per cent of Gen Zers surveyed reported feeling behind financially or guilty about spending money. When it comes to Gen Zers, Enriching Lives Psychology principal psychologist and owner Carly Dober said they are in the difficult position of being 'far worse off' than previous generations when it comes to many financial security measures. 'We have societal expectations and markers of adulthood now that are so much more difficult to achieve - or impossible for some Gen Zers,' she told 'This combined with shame and resentment about this, plus a certain percentage of the population telling them incorrectly that they 'just need to work harder' or other falsehoods show a lack of understanding of contemporary economic basics.' This can also lead to intergenerational conflict and resentment. The report also found there is a perceived hierarchy of struggles when it comes to discussing mental wellbeing topics, with tangible or 'universal' issues such as physical health problems or work viewed as more socially acceptable to discuss. Australians find silent struggles, such as feelings of loneliness or lack of purpose, much harder to openly address, with people often looking to internalise and manage these stressors alone. This conversation gap widens when it comes to discussing sensitive topics across generations. For example, even though the majority of respondents said they generally feel comfortable discussing work-related stress, the level of discomfort increases, going from 27 per cent to 39 per cent when a person is talking to someone from a different generation, Dr Alegado said this communication gap exists because each generation has developed different 'stress languages' based off their formative workplace experiences. Baby Boomers and Gen X were taught to compartmentalise work stress as their 'neural patterns were shaped in environments where bringing personal struggles to work was taboo'. They developed strong mindsets of the back of this, which is why when they hear younger generations discussing things like anxiety around work-life balance it can 'trigger' a strong response, as these coping mechanisms are so different from their own. 'Conversely, Gen Z and younger Millennials have grown up with psychological literacy - they have vocabulary for mental health concepts that older generations may never have learned,' Dr Alegado said. 'When they say 'I'm having anxiety about this project', they're often seeking understanding and support. But older colleagues might interpret this as inability to handle responsibility or professional weakness.' Biggest challenges we need to address - now There isn't just one thing that needs to be done or achieved to change Australia's attitude towards mental health, particularly around workplace and financial stress. Being able to change the systems that allow these stressors to grow and fester is one of the key challenges Ms Dober says she faces. In order to try mitigate this, she and her colleagues our outspoken advocates for policies and initiatives that can be adopted at a business and a government level to help improve the lives of workers. This includes things like maintaining flexible work, increasing wages and having 'mentally healthy' and competent managers. 'On an individual level, it's about working with the person to try to support their stress levels in practical ways such as focusing on movement, sleep, good enough nutrition, connecting to friends and family, communication and sustainable boundaries in the workplace,' Ms Dober said. Overall, Dr Alegado believes we need to start treating workplace and financial stress not as just individual problem, but something that is intertwined. 'We need to recognise that psychological wellbeing is infrastructure, just like roads or telecommunications,' she said. 'When we invest in mental health support systems, we're not just helping individuals - we're building the foundation for a more resilient and productive society.'
News.com.au
a day ago
- Health
- News.com.au
Bulldogs star Rory Lobb opens up on overcoming bullying
As a boy, Rory Lobb would often pretend to be sick so he could stay home from school and avoid the bullies that tormented him. 'I had a lot of anxiety to go to school,' the AFL star recalls. 'Mum was always wondering what was wrong with me, but it was actually nothing. 'I'd literally sit at home all day and eat.' The Western Bulldogs swingman, who grew up in Perth, left school at 14 after verbal and physical harassment left him feeling'very depressed'. 'It was just really hard on me,' he said. Australia is in the grips of a mental health crisis, and people are struggling to know who to turn to, especially our younger generations. Can We Talk? is a News Corp awareness campaign, in partnership with Medibank, equipping Aussies with the skills needs to have the most important conversation of their life. Lobb worked as a painter, builder and machine operator, and was picked up by Greater Western Sydney in the 2013 draft. Later, he joined Fremantle before signing on with the Dogs ahead of the 2023 season. Now, he is encouraging people to speak up as part of News Corp's Can We Talk? campaign, in partnership with Medibank. Lobb urged others facing challenging times to share with loved ones, or a mental health professional. 'The more that you speak out about it and don't internalise … the better you'll be,' he said. 'In a way I'm subject to bullying these days on social media. 'Throughout my career I've found ways to combat that and speaking to people, having a really good relationship at home with my partner Lexi, and also having really good people around, I feel like has really helped me. 'Now, I don't really suffer from anxiety anymore.' He said his struggles as a youngster helped him build the resilience he carries now. The 32-year-old, who stands at more than 2m tall and has reinvented himself as a key defender in recent years,said he focused on being in the moment. 'I really enjoy going into work and hanging out with my teammates,' he said. 'The 'Doggies' (club) is just amazing for me … they're very supportive with everything I do.' Lobb has opened up to club psychologists and also has 'really good relationships' with his coaches. Known for his wild and ever-changing hairstyles, the cult figure said he brushed off negative comments on social media and focused on his inner circle. 'In the media I might be perceived as a little bit loud and out there, but I like my own time,' he said. 'I like to spend time with my family and friends.' Lobb is due to marry influencer fiancee Lexi Mary, who he said had been 'so amazing' for him, in October. Mary, who has more than 44,000 TikTok followers,also blocks out the noise from trolls online. 'I used to get a lot of negative comments, particularly when Rory was going through his trade saying that I was forcing him to move to a different club,' she said. 'That was a lot for me to take on. 'I feel like people just automatically think they know you and think they can comment on you and how you speak and your appearance. 'I just really try and focus on the people in my inner circle who do know me, and know within myself that I'm a kind person. 'I wouldn't let someone get to me who can hide behind a fake burner account.'
