TAL is encouraging Australians to make more time for friends and family, with its latest campaign highlighting the role social connection can play in supporting mental wellbeing.
Launched ahead of Mental Health Month, the campaign is based on new research into how Australians view social connection and the practical barriers that can stop people from making plans.
Dubbed the TAL Social Forecast, the initiative was developed for The Daily Aus in partnership with AFLW teams the Sydney Swans, Hawthorn FC and GWS Giants, and encourages Australians to prioritise simple opportunities to spend time together.
The campaign is underpinned by a survey of 1,000 Australians aged 18 to 65+, which found 45 per cent say spending time with close friends boosts their mood – ahead of partners (42 per cent) and family (41 per cent).
However, the research suggests that Australians can struggle to turn that desire for connection into actual plans.
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Fatigue was the biggest barrier, with 37 per cent saying they cancel social plans because they are tired. A further 35 per cent said they cancel because they do not feel like going out, while 26 per cent said they need time alone.
Cost also plays a role, with one in five respondents saying they had cancelled social plans because they were too expensive. Among 25 to 34-year-olds, the figure was also 20 per cent.
The research found proximity and convenience can make social plans easier to commit to, with 54 per cent saying being close to home would encourage them to attend a social event. Meanwhile, 47 per cent pointed to a convenient time and 45 per cent said being free would encourage them to attend.
TAL Head of Mental Health Glenn Baird said the findings suggested connection could be treated as part of people’s broader wellbeing routines.
“Our research shows Australians deeply value their relationships but say they lack the time or resources to connect,” Baird said. “At the same time, most people – more than 7 in 10 – are making time for activities that support their mental wellbeing. The opportunity is to bring these things together by treating connection as part of how we look after ourselves.”
The campaign therefore focuses on low-pressure ways to stay connected, from sending a 30-second voice note or taking a short walk with a friend to grabbing a quick coffee, having a BYO catch-up in the park or using a spare ticket to invite someone along.
“For many people, friends and regular social contact are deeply linked to how they feel day to day. That is why saying yes to a simple invitation, or offering one to someone else, can matter,” Baird said. “It doesn’t need to be complicated or time-consuming. It can be a quick call, a walk around the block, or accepting an invitation you would usually decline.”
The research also found the importance of friends shifts across different life stages.
Among 18 to 24-year-olds, 61 per cent said friends boost their mood, compared with 32 per cent for partners. For Australians aged over 65, partners (43 per cent), family (42 per cent) and friends (38 per cent) were more evenly balanced.
To extend the campaign throughout October, TAL is giving away free tickets to AFLW games and encouraging Australians to invite a friend or family member along.
