The more we connect, the better our wellbeing can be
News Corp Australia’s The Growth Distillery & Medibank’s joint research1 into mental health found Australians with strong social connections are more likely to experience better mental wellbeing.
It’s no surprise that looking after your social wellbeing is good for your health. Having authentic, meaningful relationships with others can boost our mood, help us feel like we belong and provide a valuable support network when we need it.
But it’s not always easy, and it can take work. That’s why we’ve created these resources to help.
Resources to support your social wellbeing
Connect with others and look after your social wellbeing.
How to have more meaningful conversations with loved ones
We share a lot with our families. But we don't always share the ups and downs of life. Our helpful guide includes tips to start talking more with your loved ones, backed by research.
Join the parkrun community
Whether you walk, run or volunteer, parkrun is about connecting with your local community in a safe and inclusive environment. It's free, family-friendly, and there are over 450 parkrun locations around Australia. Grab your sneakers and join the fun!
Listen to Medibank's
We Are Lonely podcast
We created the We are Lonely podcast to help all Australians navigate loneliness and find meaningful connections. Each episode shares the personal experiences of young Australians who have experienced loneliness and the unique ways they strive to build relationships.
Support when you need it
Looking for mental health support for you or someone you care about, but not sure where to start? Find out where to turn, whether you're a Medibank member or not.
Read more about how to stay connected
How to deal with loneliness and feel more connected
Loneliness across Australia is increasing. Learn what to do when you feel lonely, and how to create new connections.
How to make friends as an adult
Feeling lonely as an adult? Learn how to make new friends and maintain strong relationships through key life changes like starting a new job or university.
Finding connection when family isn’t an option
We spoke with Medibank psychologist, Alison Sutton about harnessing the power of social connection with our community.
Finding your tribe with parkrun
Read how thousands of people all across Australia are connecting within their communities every week through this free Live Better activity.
Things you should know
1 About the research: The research was undertaken by News Corp Australia's The Growth Distillery. Fieldwork was conducted across all states and territories, including metropolitan and rural/regional areas, between 11-25 February 2025, collecting a total of 2,565 responses.
While we hope you find this information helpful, please note that it is general in nature. It is not health advice, and is not tailored to meet your individual health needs. You should always consult a trusted health professional before making decisions about your health care. While we have prepared the information carefully, we can’t guarantee that it is accurate, complete or up-to-date. And while we may mention goods or services provided by others, we aren’t specifically endorsing them and can’t accept responsibility for them. For these reasons we are unable to accept responsibility for any loss that may be sustained from acting on this information (subject to applicable consumer guarantees).