Latest news with #Medibank
Time of India
a day ago
- 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.
New York Post
2 days ago
- General
- New York Post
How many close friends do you really need? New research shows a certain number is attainable
In 2025, many of us are living alone. Or we live with housemates, cotenants, flatmates – people who may share a fridge, a lease, even a dog, but not necessarily our inner world. While the population swells in our cities, and digital devices keep us constantly connected, many of us live in a kind of emotional isolation. We go to work, we cook our meals, we scroll our phones, we answer messages – and still feel deeply alone. Advertisement For generations, it was a given that our romantic partner, our spouse, was also our closest confidante – the person we could cry in front of, confide in, lean on when the day had simply been too much. But for some, the presence of a partner only throws the lack of connection into sharper relief. Intimacy cannot be assumed. And for the growing number of people living solo, the question becomes starker: if not a partner, then who? 5 On average, people with high well-being have five people they can rely on; those with poorer mental health report just over three. Donald Pearsall / NY Post Design The answer, it turns out, is friends. Not a friend. Friends – plural. Research from News Corp's Growth Distillery with Medibank reveals that those with the best self-reported mental wellbeing are also those with the most people in their corner. On average, people with high well-being have five people they can rely on; those with poorer mental health report just over three. Advertisement That gap might sound small, but in practice, it's enormous. It's the difference between feeling like there's always someone you can call, and running through a dwindling mental list of names when things start to unravel. The data is compelling. It confirms what many of us know instinctively, but sometimes forget to prioritise: that connection is not an optional extra — it is vital. Friendship is not a decoration for a busy life. It is one of the structures that hold us upright. 5 Research from News Corp's Growth Distillery with Medibank reveals that those with the best self-reported mental wellbeing are also those with the most people in their corner. oneinchpunch – And yet, many Australians don't feel able to build or rely on that structure. The research also found that nearly half of us feel unprepared or unsure how to talk about mental health – even when someone turns to us for help. Advertisement And when it comes to talking about our own struggles, we hold back out of fear: not fear of judgement, but fear of burdening others. We silence ourselves to protect the people we care about, not realising that this silence builds barriers where we need bridges. What emerges from this research is not just a picture of loneliness, but a profound uncertainty about how to connect in meaningful ways. Many of us are deeply social in practice – attending events, replying to group chats, showing up for work drinks – but feel emotionally cut off. We keep things light. We're funny, dependable, and generous. But not vulnerable. Not fully ourselves. And in doing so, we miss out on the nourishment that true connection can bring. 5 Friendship is not a decoration for a busy life. It is one of the structures that hold us upright, according to the research. Xavier Lorenzo – Advertisement It's tempting to try to solve this with another app, a new social initiative, a government-funded campaign. And those all have their place. But there's something more elemental at stake here – something that doesn't require policy or innovation, but courage. We need to talk to our friends. Really talk. We need to be brave enough to say, 'I'm not okay.' Or even just, 'I'm struggling today.' We need to listen to each other without scrambling for solutions. To be present, even if we don't have the perfect words. Of course, that kind of honesty doesn't appear overnight. It takes time and trust. But the alternative – isolation, both physical and emotional – carries its own costs. Mental ill-health is not just a personal issue. It's a public one. It affects families, workplaces, healthcare systems, and communities. And it's growing. We cannot afford to pretend that mental well-being is something people can cultivate entirely alone. The most resilient among us still need others. 5 We need to talk to our friends. Really talk. We need to be brave enough to say, 'I'm not okay.' Or even just, 'I'm struggling today.' StratfordProductions – That's why the link between support networks and mental health is so powerful. It gives us something tangible to work with. If we want to improve wellbeing, we can start by expanding our circles. That might mean reaching out to old friends and suggesting a catch-up that's more than just a walk-and-talk. It might mean gently probing when someone gives a breezy 'I'm fine' that doesn't ring true. It might mean noticing who is always the listener and never the speaker – and inviting them to take up space. These small actions don't always feel like mental health interventions, but they are. A text message that says 'thinking of you' might be the first step out of someone's emotional fog. A regular coffee catch-up might become someone's only appointment they truly look forward to. We don't need to be therapists to be impactful. We just need to be consistent and willing to show up – even imperfectly. And we need to remind ourselves, too, that we are not burdens. If someone cares for us, they probably want to know how we really are. It is not weak to need others. It is human. 5 If we want to improve wellbeing, we can start by expanding our circles. That might mean reaching out to old friends and suggesting a catch-up that's more than just a walk-and-talk. Adene S/ – Advertisement In a culture that prizes independence and stoicism, this may feel radical. But if the research tells us anything, it's that no one thrives in isolation. We thrive in connection. We flourish in friendship. So maybe the real message from all this data isn't about mental health campaigns or social trends. Maybe it's simpler. Maybe it's this: pick up the phone. Send the message. Make the plan. Build the net before you fall. Because one day, you might need it. And so might someone else.
Herald Sun
4 days ago
- Health
- Herald Sun
New data shows why Australians struggle to ask R U OK?
Don't miss out on the headlines from Mental Health. Followed categories will be added to My News. A fear of offending by saying the wrong thing is holding many Australians back from checking in on those they are concerned about. A new survey by suicide prevention charity R U OK? has exposed the reasons why a third of us hesitate to reach out to those we suspect are struggling. Concerns about invading people's privacy, or not knowing how to help, were the other top factors. But overwhelmingly, the research found when people were asked how they were going, they felt 'grateful and supported'. Most Australians (three in four) also believed it was important to reach out. The findings have been released exclusively to News Corp Australia in the lead-up to R U OK? Day on September 11. The barriers to mental health conversations have been the focus of News Corp Australia's Can We Talk? campaign with Medibank, which this week is exploring relationships. The campaign is aimed at equipping Aussies with the skills needed to open up about the most important topic in our lives. Psychologist Annie Fardell Hartley said a simple conversation could make a big difference. 'These conversations matter and they're often more welcome than we think,' Ms Fardell Hartley, an R U OK? board member, said. 'People don't expect you to have all the answers or the perfect words. 'They value trust, genuine care, and someone who really listens.' Encouragingly, the charity said the research had revealed a third of Australians had been checking in with others more often over the past year. R U OK? ambassador Mahir Munot. Picture: Supplied For Mahir Munot, 19, a simple conversation at a critical point in his life proved 'life-changing'. Just days before his Year 12 exams, he found himself at his lowest ebb after bullying he had endured in the past resurfaced. 'I was in tears on the bus when a teacher sitting across from me asked, 'Are you OK?',' Mr Munot, who has since become a community ambassador for the charity, recalled. 'I was feeling completely shattered, and couldn't step forward and take any action. 'But that conversation on the bus was the reason I ended up opening up to my family and community that night.' 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.
News.com.au
4 days ago
- General
- News.com.au
How many close friends do you really need?
In 2025, many of us are living alone. Or we live with housemates, cotenants, flatmates – people who may share a fridge, a lease, even a dog, but not necessarily our inner world. While the population swells in our cities, and digital devices keep us constantly connected, many of us live in a kind of emotional isolation. We go to work, we cook our meals, we scroll our phones, we answer messages – and still feel deeply alone. For generations, it was a given that our romantic partner, our spouse, was also our closest confidante – the person we could cry in front of, confide in, lean on when the day had simply been too much. But for some, the presence of a partner only throws the lack of connection into sharper relief. Intimacy cannot be assumed. And for the growing number of people living solo, the question becomes starker: if not a partner, then who? The answer, it turns out, is friends. Not a friend. Friends – plural. Research from News Corp's Growth Distillery with Medibank reveals that those with the best self-reported mental wellbeing are also those with the most people in their corner. On average, people with high wellbeing have five people they can rely on; those with poorer mental health report just over three. 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. That gap might sound small, but in practice, it's enormous. It's the difference between feeling like there's always someone you can call, and running through a dwindling mental list of names when things start to unravel. The data is compelling. It confirms what many of us know instinctively, but sometimes forget to prioritise: that connection is not an optional extra — it is vital. Friendship is not decoration for a busy life. It is one of the structures that hold us upright. And yet, many Australians don't feel able to build or rely on that structure. The research also found that nearly half of us feel unprepared or unsure how to talk about mental health – even when someone turns to us for help. And when it comes to talking about our own struggles, we hold back out of fear: not fear of judgement, but fear of burdening others. We silence ourselves to protect the people we care about, not realising that this silence builds barriers where we need bridges. What emerges from this research is not just a picture of loneliness, but a profound uncertainty about how to connect in meaningful ways. Many of us are deeply social in practice – attending events, replying to group chats, showing up for work drinks – but feel emotionally cut off. We keep things light. We're funny, dependable, generous. But not vulnerable. Not fully ourselves. And in doing so, we miss out on the nourishment that true connection can bring. It's tempting to try to solve this with another app, a new social initiative, a government-funded campaign. And those all have their place. But there's something more elemental at stake here – something that doesn't require policy or innovation, but courage. We need to talk to our friends. Really talk. We need to be brave enough to say, 'I'm not okay.' Or even just, 'I'm struggling today.' We need to listen to each other without scrambling for solutions. To be present, even if we don't have the perfect words. Of course, that kind of honesty doesn't appear overnight. It takes time, and trust. But the alternative – isolation, both physical and emotional – carries its own costs. Mental ill-health is not just a personal issue. It's a public one. It affects families, workplaces, healthcare systems, communities. And it's growing. We cannot afford to pretend that mental wellbeing is something people can cultivate entirely alone. The most resilient among us still need others. That's why the link between support networks and mental health is so powerful. It gives us something tangible to work with. If we want to improve wellbeing, we can start by expanding our circles. That might mean reaching out to old friends and suggesting a catch-up that's more than just a walk-and-talk. It might mean gently probing when someone gives a breezy 'I'm fine' that doesn't ring true. It might mean noticing who is always the listener and never the speaker – and inviting them to take up space. These small actions don't always feel like mental health interventions, but they are. A text message that says 'thinking of you' might be the first step out of someone's emotional fog. A regular coffee catch-up might become someone's only appointment they truly look forward to. We don't need to be therapists to be impactful. We just need to be consistent, and willing to show up – even imperfectly. And we need to remind ourselves, too, that we are not burdens. If someone cares for us, they probably want to know how we really are. It is not weak to need others. It is human. In a culture that prizes independence and stoicism, this may feel radical. But if the research tells us anything, it's that no one thrives in isolation. We thrive in connection. We flourish in friendship. So maybe the real message from all this data isn't about mental health campaigns or social trends. Maybe it's simpler. Maybe it's this: pick up the phone. Send the message. Make the plan. Build the net before you fall. Because one day, you might need it. And so might someone else.
Herald Sun
5 days ago
- 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.
