Despite crowded inboxes and buzzing group chats, many people find themselves utterly alone when life takes a serious turn.
A new report from News Corp’s Growth Distillery in partnership with Medibank has uncovered a quietly growing crisis—modern loneliness masked by digital noise. The research, recently highlighted by VICE, found a stark link between the number of dependable personal relationships and mental health outcomes.
According to the study, people who described their mental health as strong had, on average, five people they could trust and turn to. By contrast, those struggling psychologically had just over three.
That seemingly modest gap—just two people—proved to be critical. It often marked the boundary between feeling resilient and silently overwhelmed. The report noted that for many, this difference defined the moment when one shifts from thinking, “I’ve got this,” to withdrawing with the thought, “I don’t want to bother anyone.”
Researchers described this pattern as a silent epidemic of loneliness—one not caused by isolation in the traditional sense, but by the absence of deep, dependable emotional connections in the midst of socially performative environments.
The findings pointed to a striking contradiction in modern life: while people often maintain busy social calendars, attend events, and actively participate in group chats, these engagements are frequently superficial. When facing personal crises, many admit they would hesitate to reach out to anyone in their circle.
“It’s not that we don’t care,” the report stated. “It’s that we don’t know how to begin. We fear burdening others. We don’t want to look weak. So instead, we say we’re ‘just tired’ or ‘super busy’—when we’re actually struggling.”
The study debunks the belief that loneliness is solely about physical solitude. It suggests instead that many people are living lives of emotional distance, surrounded by acquaintances but deprived of true confidants.
Crucially, the research highlighted that forming meaningful connection does not require a therapist or a specially trained friend. Nor does it need a perfectly built ‘support network.’ Often, what matters most is just one honest message: “I’m not okay today.”
It’s not about having dozens of friends—it’s about having even just one person who will pick up the phone without judgement, and who knows you'd do the same for them.
“Five friends. That’s the number,” the report concluded. “It may sound small, but it’s foundational.”
Experts noted that starting from scratch shouldn’t deter anyone. Even a single vulnerable conversation can set the groundwork for emotional safety. The report encourages people to actively invest in relationships that move beyond surface-level interactions, and to normalise checking in not just with others—but with themselves.
As more people turn to digital platforms for connection, the report offers a sobering reminder: real friendship isn’t found in emojis or shared memes—it’s in presence, consistency, and courage during life’s hardest moments.
In a world where everyone is reachable, the study asks a deeper question: Who would you really reach out to—if it all fell apart?
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