Overview
Australian life insurer TAL has published new research showing that Australians place considerable value on relationships with friends and family but frequently cancel social plans because of fatigue, stress and financial pressures. The findings suggest everyday social activities deserve greater attention as part of maintaining mental wellbeing.
TAL’s Understanding Modern Australia Report found that personal relationships remain important to Australians, even when competing commitments make regular contact difficult.
More than seven in 10 Australians already make time for activities supporting their mental wellbeing, yet maintaining social relationships doesn’t always receive the same priority.
Glenn Baird, Head of Mental Health at TAL, said spending time with friends, family and community members should become a regular wellbeing habit. He argued that people don’t necessarily need elaborate social arrangements to maintain relationships, with a brief telephone conversation, a short walk or accepting an invitation providing opportunities to stay connected.
Our research shows Australians deeply value their relationships but say they lack the time or resources to connect
Glenn Baird, Head of Mental Health at TAL
Baird said that encouraged people to consider ordinary social interactions as part of how they look after their mental health.
Fatigue and financial pressures affect social plans
A separate TAL survey examining Australians’ social habits identified tiredness as the most common reason for cancelling plans, cited by 37% of respondents. Another 35% cancelled because they didn’t feel like going out, while 26% said they needed time alone. Financial considerations also influenced decisions, with 20% reporting cancellations because of cost.
The findings revealed differences between men and women. Among female respondents, 45% identified fatigue as a reason for cancelling social activities, compared with 28% of men.
Convenience also influenced whether people followed through with social commitments. More than half of respondents (54%) said being close to home encouraged attendance, while 47% preferred events scheduled at convenient times and 45% were more inclined to attend activities without an associated cost.
Baird said these preferences suggest social invitations are more likely to succeed when arrangements remain straightforward. Choosing a nearby location and a suitable time reduces the effort involved in meeting others, especially for people managing busy schedules or limited budgets.
“Make a plan that feels easy to commit to. Keep it close to home and choose a time that works. A low-key catch-up is better than an ambitious plan that never happens,” he said.
Friends remain an important source of mental wellbeing
TAL’s survey found close friends were the most frequently selected source of emotional support when Australians wanted to improve their mood. Some 45% turned to close friends, compared with 42% who relied on partners and 41% who sought support from family members.
Women placed greater emphasis on friendships, with 50% identifying close friends as a source of improved mood. The findings also showed differences across age groups, suggesting the relative importance of different relationships changes throughout adulthood.
Among Australians aged 18 to 24, 61% identified friends as a way to improve their mood, substantially more than the 32% who selected partners. In middle age, respondents reported a more balanced contribution from partners, friends and children.
For Australians older than 65, partners remained the most frequently identified source of support at 43%, followed by family at 42% and friends at 38%.
These results indicate that friendships continue contributing to emotional wellbeing later in life, alongside family and partner relationships.
Baird referred to research associating more frequent social contact with better general health, including mental health. He said the form of interaction matters less than whether people are able to maintain it regularly, whether through shared meals, community activities, telephone calls or walks with friends.
TAL supports social connection during Mental Health Month
Mental Health Australia has selected Together We Thrive as the theme for this year’s Mental Health Month, drawing attention to the relationship between social connection, belonging and mental health outcomes.
During October, TAL is giving away free tickets to AFLW games and encouraging Australians to attend with friends or family members.
TAL also recommends several practical approaches to maintaining contact with others. These include accepting manageable invitations, checking in with friends and allowing time for genuine conversations. Choosing affordable activities near home, arranging regular calls and combining social contact with everyday tasks are other options suggested by the insurer.
A weekly message or scheduled catch-up also provides a straightforward way to maintain relationships without introducing substantial additional commitments. Shared activities such as cooking, walking or eating together offer opportunities for regular interaction within existing routines.
TAL expands its approach to mental health support
The research forms part of TAL’s broader work on mental health in Australia. The life insurer is developing support that extends beyond paying insurance claims, working with specialists, people with lived experience and partner organisations on prevention, early intervention, recovery and care.
TAL is also reviewing how its services and insurance products respond to Australians’ experiences of mental ill health. Its approach includes partnership-based service development and greater attention to support available at different stages of mental health needs.
The latest research provides additional information about the everyday barriers Australians encounter when trying to maintain relationships. Fatigue, limited time and financial constraints influence participation, while accessible activities and manageable commitments offer practical ways to sustain social contact.
