Is it time for a D&M with your DNA?
News Corp Australia's The Growth Distillery & Medibank's joint research1 into mental health found many Australians are craving more meaningful conversations with family, particularly with their parents.
We've used the findings to create this conversation guide, to help more Australians get from small talk to real talk. Because the more we connect, the better our mental wellbeing can be.
The research found:
90% of Australians say they feel better after talking about mental wellbeing, but many of us are still hesitant to have the conversation.
73% of Australians think talking regularly about mental wellbeing makes it easier when there is a serious issue.
47% of young adults want to have more conversations with their parents.
When family isn't an option
Talking to family is not always possible, or right for everyone. Read more on finding connection outside your family unit and how to look after your mental wellbeing.
Tips for turning small talk into real talk
News Corp Australia's The Growth Distillery & Medibank's joint research1 found almost half of young adults surveyed wanted to have more meaningful conversations with their parents. However, two thirds say it would be hard to tell their parents they are having challenges or struggling with their mental wellbeing.
Encourage your adult children to open up with these tips.
- Choose the right time and place.
Somewhere safe and comfortable is important. Casual settings like your house or in the car can be good places to talk. Make sure you are both feeling calm, present and have the time to chat properly.
- Open up first.
Showing your adult children that everyone faces challenges (parents included) can make it easier, and demonstrate it’s a safe place to share.
- Be curious.
Ask open-ended questions, for example, ‘I’ve noticed lately that you...?’ or ‘Is there anything you’d like to talk about?’.
- Talk about small problems first.
We often find it easier to talk about things like work stress or global events. Starting with these kinds of topics can help test the waters and lay the foundation for more meaningful conversations.
- Listen with care.
Try to understand, show empathy, and acknowledge their feelings. Avoid making judgements or downplaying any issues.
- Avoid problem solving.
As a parent, it’s easy to jump into solution mode. But most of the time, our children just want the space to share what they are going through. If you do have some advice, ask if they would like it before you share.
- Do it regularly.
Talking about your mental wellbeing when things are going well makes it easier to talk when things are not going so well. Just like many things, conversation is a skill that takes practice.
Opening up to loving and supportive family members can help you feel more connected, and can have a positive impact on your mental wellbeing.
Here’s how to get started.
- Choose the right time and place.
Somewhere safe and comfortable is important. Casual settings like your house or in the car can be good places to talk. Make sure you are both feeling calm, present and have the time to chat properly.
- Be curious.
It may sound obvious, but good conversations go both ways. Ask open-ended questions about what’s going on in your parents’ lives. If they start by sharing something, it might make you feel more comfortable to share something too.
- Share at your own pace.
It’s OK if you don’t want to share everything. Start by sharing something small, for example, a bad day at work. It can help test the waters for safety and lay the foundation for more open conversations.
- Be clear about what you need.
It’s easy for parents to jump into solution mode. If you just want someone to listen, let them know before you share something.
- Do it regularly.
Talking about your mental wellbeing when things are going well makes it easier to talk when things are not going so well. Just like many things, meaningful conversation is a skill that takes practice.
- A disappointing response is not about you.
Most of the time, opening up about something difficult helps us feel better. But if you don’t get the response you hoped for from your parents, there are things you can do. Read more about finding connection outside your family unit.
Sharing life’s ups and downs with a loving and supportive family member - whether it’s a partner, sibling or someone else - can strengthen your relationship and have a positive impact on your mental wellbeing.
Here’s how to get started.
- Choose the right time and place.
Somewhere safe and comfortable is important. Casual settings like your house, the car or during a shared activity can be a good time and place to talk. Make sure you are both feeling calm, present and have the time to chat properly.
- Be curious.
It may sound obvious, but good conversations go both ways. Ask open-ended questions about what’s going on in their life. If they start by sharing something, it might prompt you to share something too.
- Share at your own pace.
It’s OK if you don’t want to share everything. Start by sharing something small, for example, a bad day at work. It can help test the waters for safety and lay the foundation for more open conversations.
- Be clear about what you need.
It’s easy for family to jump into solution mode. If you just want someone to listen, let them know before you share something.
- Do it regularly.
Talking about your mental wellbeing when things are going well makes it easier to talk when things are not going so well. Just like many things, having meaningful conversation is a skill that takes practice.
- A disappointing response is not about you.
Most of the time, opening up about something difficult helps us feel better. But if you don’t get the response you hoped for, they may not be the right person to connect with for now. Read more about finding connection outside your family unit.
Read more about connection and conversation
How to speak to a loved one about mental health
We spoke with Medibank psychologist, Alison Sutton about how to start having more meaningful mental health conversations with our loved ones.
Healthy boundaries, happy families
Setting boundaries with our family can be hard, but it may just be the best thing we can do for happy, healthy relationships.
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.
Support when you need it
Talking openly with family is not always easy. If you need professional mental health support, help is available.
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).