Medibank and Magda Szubanski team up to start an important conversation about mental health in Australia
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Last week, Australia learned that Magda Szubanski – an Aussie icon close to all of our hearts – has been diagnosed with Stage 4 Mantle Cell Lymphoma – a rare and fast-moving blood cancer.
Over the last three months, Medibank and Magda have been working closely on a nationwide mental health initiative.
Magda is passionate about raising awareness and advocating for better mental health and her commitment to that cause continues through the launch of the Medibank Family Roast – a card game designed to help Australians have more meaningful conversations.
With Magda’s support, the initiative launches on the evening of Sunday 8 June 2025 with a 60 second television ad that stars Sharon Strzelecki and two surprise guests – her never-before-seen children Tim and Pam as they open up new conversations together.
Magda Szubanski said: “Supporting the mental wellbeing of Australians has always been close to my heart—whether through making people laugh, or through raising awareness and funds for trauma. This is a fantastic initiative, and we hope it gives everyday Aussies some practical tools to better understand mental health and connect more meaningfully with one another.”
Medibank Chief Medical Officer and treating psychiatrist Dr Andrew Wilson said: “Mental health touches every family and every community and is at the heart of our national wellbeing. Magda has been an incredible partner to work with as we created something we hope can facilitate more meaningful conversations among Australian families of all kinds, whether biological, chosen or adopted. In the face of Magda’s cancer diagnosis, she is determined this important work continues.”
More about the Medibank Family Roast:
On the back of Medibank’s $50 million investment into mental health over the next 5 years, the health company has unveiled a new conversation starter in the form of a card game called the Family Roast.
Developed alongside leading mental health experts across Australia, the game has been designed to strengthen relationships and open up more meaningful conversations between loved ones through a range of fun, sometimes provocative questions. The campaign is led by the iconic Kath & Kim character Sharon Strzelecki and her never-before-seen children Tim & Pam playing the game and getting to know each other on a deeper level.
Medibank worked closely with Magda Szubanski in creating her famous character’s fictional children – ensuring they stayed true to the character itself as well as reimagining Sharon Strzelecki in 2025 – where she would be living, what she would be doing, and what her relationship with her children would be.
