Latest news with #CanWeTalk
News.com.au
15 hours ago
- Health
- News.com.au
‘We never spoke about it, ever': How rock bottom triggered Sydney man's life-changing conversation
James Wright always knew there was something a bit different about his dad. 'His energy would change from time to time,' recalls the 46-year-old Sydney man. 'Our Saturday morning bike rides would stop, and he'd withdraw socially, spending hours upon hours locked in his study.' Now, James recognises his father's episodes for what they were – major depressive episodes – but at the time, he was simply made aware that there were problems with his dad's health. 'When I was about 13, I remember being picked up early from school by mum, and she took my sister and I into the hospital, where Dad had been admitted to undergo electroconvulsive shock therapy (ECT),' James said. 'I remember being warned by the doctors that Dad might not really be able to recognise us or say anything, as he'd only had the procedure the day before.' Growing up in the UK, James says despite his dad's severe struggles with mental health, conversations about it weren't commonplace. In fact, it wasn't until his twenties that James discovered his Nonna – his dad's mother – had also been admitted for ECT. 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 needed to have the most important conversation of their life. 'She never spoke about it, ever,' he recalls. 'She lived up in the North of England in Hartlepool, and she must have been one of the first rounds of women to receive that therapy.' It is perhaps unsurprising, then, that James' own mental health began to decline in his mid-teens. According to studies, the heritability of major depressive disorder is between 30 and 50 per cent. Coupled with this, new research by News Corp's Growth Distillery with Medibank found that 28 per cent of parents of 16- to 30-year-olds have never discussed their mental wellbeing with their children. In addition, half of all parents of 16-30 year olds (49 per cent) agree that 'I do/would find it hard to tell my children I'm having challenges or struggling with my mental wellbeing', with only 39 per cent disagreeing with this statement. For James, it meant that for a long time, he struggled alone. 'I was at an all-boy's Catholic school in North London, and I was just beginning to realise that I'm gay,' he said. There were a number of challenges in his life that combined to have a big impact on his mental health, but knowing what his dad had experienced, James didn't hesitate to seek help, first from the school, and then from a GP. 'Even though I didn't discuss it with mum and dad, I think my awareness of dad's condition meant that there wasn't any shame attached to seeking help – it was more just something I knew I needed to do,' he said. 'I knew there wouldn't have been any judgment from them if they had known.' James started taking medication, something he continued throughout his years at university. His mental health was what he describes as 'up and down' for much of his twenties, including a period of intense burnout that preceded a breakdown of sorts. 'I'm an ambitious person,' he said. 'I easily turn myself into a workaholic, particularly if I'm desperately passionate about what I'm doing, and I got myself into a real mess in my mid-twenties, and I think that's probably part of the reason I decided to move to Australia and give myself a fresh start.' Once settled in Sydney, James discovered a fulfilling new career in a workplace where he thrived, and felt his mental health stabilise for years. Then, in 2014, life threw James another curve ball. He contracted HIV. While early detection and antiviral treatment soon rendered the disease undetectable (and therefore non-transmissible) in James' body, the stress and shock of the experience sent him into a spiral of shame and self-destruction. 'I was too ashamed to tell my friends or family,' he recalls. 'I was drinking too much, stopped all forms of exercise and was hiding from the world.' This self-isolation – a tactic reminiscent of his father's – had become something of a hallmark of James' mental health struggles. 'That urge to withdraw socially has been a behaviour I'd been aware of repeating at several points during my life,' says James. 'And once you get better at recognising what's going on, you realise that pulling away is the last thing you should be doing to get better, but at the time, it feels like the only option.' Over the next few years, James' self-imposed exile from Sydney (he bought an ill-fated restaurant in the country in order to justify moving away) and determination to deal with his mental health forced him to face his demons head-on. Eventually, he realised that he needed to open up to his family – and his dad in particular – if he was to properly heal. 'It was in that one conversation – where I told him about my diagnosis and explained what I'd been going through – that we were able to be truly authentic with each other,' he says. That was about six years ago. Today, James describes his dad as his 'best friend'. 'We've had some incredible, raw, beautiful conversations about mental health, our emotions, about what it was like for him when I was growing up,' says James, who speaks about his father's struggles with pure empathy and understanding. 'I completely understand how hard it was for him, and why he needed to withdraw when he did. I feel like I'm able to have a lot of that relationship back now, as an adult, that I missed out on as a kid.' James, who now works as a positive psychology/strengths coach, says embracing authentic communication with his dad has been one of the biggest gifts of his adult life, and something he has adopted as a philosophy. 'Opening up to my family was the final piece of the puzzle,' he says. 'It means I can show up completely authentically, which in turn helps my clients be vulnerable and authentic in return.'
Daily Telegraph
3 days ago
- Health
- Daily Telegraph
Why Gen Z kids and their parents don't talk
Don't miss out on the headlines from Mental Health. Followed categories will be added to My News. Pride, trust issues and a fear of judgment are preventing Australian families from talking more about mental health, new research has found. Half of parents of 16 to 30-year-olds are uncomfortable talking to their children about their wellbeing, although a third want to. Worryingly, younger people found it even harder to communicate, with 62 per cent of respondents unable to confide in older family members. The next phase of News Corp Australia's Can We Talk? campaign launching today, in partnership with Medibank, will focus on how families can support each other with mental health challenges. The new research, by New Corp's Growth Distillery with Medibank, has exposed the intergenerational barriers holding families back from supporting each other. It found families often lacked the tools, language and 'mental health literacy' to communicate. Young people were most concerned about negative responses. It calls on parents to take the lead and spark conversations around mental health in a casual, empathetic way. Parenting expert Dr Justin Coulson said asking for 'consent' before raising a tough topic or sharing advice could be a 'gamechanger'. 'Asking for consent seems like a small thing, but can change a conversation drastically,' he said. 'What I find helpful with my daughter is to say, 'I've noticed this happening with you', and then, 'I have some ideas that could help if you're interested. If you're not, that's totally fine'. Justin Couslon has given useful tips that he says can be a 'gamechanger'. Picture Lachie Millard 'Or if you are the one opening up, start by asking if someone can just listen.' The father-of-six, and R U OK? ambassador, said there were many reasons why people felt reluctant to share issues with family members. Younger people often worried that a parent would interfere, judge them or deliver a lecture. On the flip side, parents may fear being seen as a 'failure', or want to avoid using their children as 'therapists'. But he said positive communication across generations in families helped build connection. 'We need to equip families to talk about these topics because many struggle,' he said. 'The more we communicate with each other, the more we can develop trust, be vulnerable and sense when someone's okay or not. It's important to be intentional about these conversations because if you are staring at a screen and not each other, it's hard to pick up when someone needs help.' Half of parents of Gen Zs and Millenials are uncomfortable talking about their wellbeing. The Growth Distillery research found all topics were harder to talk about with someone in a different generation. But relationship issues topped the list, with more than half reluctant to share across age groups, followed by social pressures (52 per cent) and stress (49 per cent). Relationships Australia CEO Elisabeth Shaw said research showed 18 to 25-year-olds were one of the loneliest groups, and it was important they had someone 'safe' to talk to, whether it was a family member or not. 'Knowing that in their darkest times, young people have someone to talk to, is a huge protective factor for mental health and suicide,' she said. 'But if they feel shut down, dismissed or ridiculed by family, or if there's disinterest, then that hurts more than if it were a casual acquaintance. 'What's important is to talk to somebody who is trustworthy and open to your experience.' She said in many ways, today's young people had more in common with their parents than ever before, such as social media use, online dating and multiple romantic relationships. 'The clash happens when the younger generation feels shut down and misunderstood. A way to take that into account is to enter their world, rather than taking the approach of: 'Do it my way and follow my recommendations'.' Originally published as Three reasons parents and their millenial or Gen Z kids don't talk
News.com.au
31-05-2025
- Health
- 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
31-05-2025
- 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
31-05-2025
- 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.'
