Medibank extends partnership to address loneliness in Australia

Medibank has reaffirmed its commitment to addressing loneliness in Australia by extending its partnership with Ending Loneliness Together, a national coalition focused on reducing social isolation.

This collaboration forms part of Medibank’s broader initiative to enhance mental health and social well-being, underpinned by a $50 million investment and a decade-long strategy.

Renewed partnership targets social isolation

The renewed partnership will prioritise increasing public understanding of loneliness and supporting initiatives that foster social connections, particularly among younger Australians.

Medibank and Ending Loneliness Together plan to deliver programs and campaigns that encourage open discussion and community engagement around the issue.

Andrew Retschko, who leads talent engagement, diversity, inclusion & sustainability at Medibank, noted that loneliness is closely linked to mental health outcomes.

“Loneliness is a significant social determinant of mental health, and we know that connection is a powerful protective factor,” he said. “More Australians than ever are experiencing loneliness and particularly young people. Stigma remains a major barrier for people to get the support they need, alongside uncertainty about what to do or where to turn.”

The partnership with Ending Loneliness Together is seen as a way to coordinate efforts and leverage expertise from various stakeholders.

Associate professor Michelle Lim, CEO and scientific chair of Ending Loneliness Together, described the partnership as an opportunity to accelerate national efforts to address loneliness as a public health concern.

“We are pleased to work with Medibank on the issue of loneliness. We know we need a collective effort to address this health, social, and community problem in Australia. This partnership will accelerate our national efforts to address this public health priority,” she said.

2025 initiatives and sector engagement

Several new initiatives are planned under the renewed partnership:

• Loneliness Awareness Week 2025: Medibank will support the annual campaign, scheduled for Aug. 4 to 10, which this year will focus on people aged 16 to 25, a group identified as particularly at risk of loneliness.
• Annual conference support: Medibank will serve as the principal partner for the 2025 Ending Loneliness Together conference in Melbourne. The event will bring together experts from research, government, health, and community sectors to discuss strategies for reducing social isolation. The conference will expand to two days with Medibank’s involvement.
• Social well-being in corporate health checks: Medibank will introduce a new social well-being assessment as part of its corporate health check program. Practitioners will receive training from Ending Loneliness Together to better identify and address loneliness during health assessments.
• Live Better program challenge: In conjunction with Loneliness Awareness Week, Medibank will launch a social connection challenge through its Live Better rewards program, encouraging customers to strengthen their social networks.

Mental health claims reshape insurance landscape

The renewed focus on social well-being comes as the Australian life insurance sector experiences a surge in mental health-related claims.

Data from the Council of Australian Life Insurers (CALI) showed that mental health conditions now represent nearly one in three total and permanent disability (TPD) claims.

In 2024, life insurers paid out more than $2.2 billion in retail claims linked to mental health, almost double the amount recorded five years earlier.

Income protection claims related to mental health also remain high, with $887 million paid in the same year.