This World Mental Health Day, Relationships Australia NSW (RANSW) is calling for relationships to be recognised as central to mental health – not an afterthought.
Isolation, loneliness and poor social connection are major drivers of mental ill-health. One in six people worldwide are lonely, contributing to an estimated 870,000 deaths annually. Yet social wellbeing remains largely sidelined in a medicalised mental health system that focuses on symptoms rather than social context.
RANSW CEO Elisabeth Shaw said the day is a powerful reminder that mental health is deeply shaped by the quality of our relationships.
"Every day through our services, we see loneliness and relationship distress as common themes – yet they're often siloed from mainstream mental health care," Ms Shaw said.
"Whether it's an older person impacted by abuse, a couple in crisis, or children affected by family conflict, the emotional toll and disconnection can be devastating if left unaddressed.
"Relationship support must sit at the heart of the mental health system, not on its fringes. By investing in relationships and recognising their importance, we are investing in mental health."
RANSW empowers people to build and maintain safe, respectful relationships through services such as family counselling, mediation, family dispute resolution, and support for older people impacted by elder abuse.
Ms Shaw said early intervention and stronger integration between mental health and relationship services are critical.
"Feedback from our frontline services reinforces the need for increased investment in early relational mental health support, the inclusion of relationships in mental health reform, and greater community awareness," she said.
World Mental Health Day provides a timely opportunity to refocus the national conversation on connection as a key pillar of health.
