Taking the plunge in chilly winter water to tackle loneliness

At six o'clock on a Monday in June, the temperature outdoors is just 10 degrees Celsius and conditions are dark and windy.

But that does not stop dozens of young people from stripping down to their swimmers and cannon-balling into the Merewether Ocean Baths at Newcastle.

It has become a weekly ritual for 24-year-old Sam Colbert.

"If I don't come to these sessions, then my week is not off to a good start," he said.

"It's a great way to meet new people, and I think we need more of that these days because it can be lonely out there."

Mr Colbert is a member of the "Moist Mondays" crew, a community group encouraging young people in Newcastle to get up before sunrise and go for a swim with strangers.

What started as a bunch of mates connecting over a cold plunge has grown into a big social movement, with Moist Monday social groups now running in Sydney and the Gold Coast.

But for 19-year-old Zali Saxby, it serves a bigger purpose than just getting her blood pumping.

"It's the conversations that we have afterwards, the coffee we get, everyone just chatting and getting to know each other," she said.

"I think we've tapped into something really special here."

Loneliness a 'quiet crisis'

Ben Smith is a professor of public health at the University of Sydney and on the management committee for Ending Loneliness Together, a national organisation researching and raising awareness of loneliness and social isolation.

According to its 2025 study, more than 40 per cent of 15- to 25-year-olds in Australia reported being lonely.

One in seven were found to have been lonely for at least a year, which is considered "chronic" or "persistent" loneliness.

"There's a common perception that it's mostly older people who become less connected and more likely to experience loneliness as they get older," Professor Smith said.

"It's quite concerning that we're seeing this high prevalence of loneliness alongside a high prevalence of psychological distress and depression among young people too."

The study found that poor mental or physical health, living away from family, or being unemployed were some of the biggest factors contributing to loneliness among young people.

It also found those who were not part of a community group or club were twice as likely to experience loneliness, especially young people living in rural or regional Australia.

"If they're needing to make a major relocation, like moving from the country to a regional location or city, that can be a real point of vulnerability to loneliness," Professor Smith said.

"What we're hearing from them is that there is a lack of opportunities to join community groups where they might meet other young people.

"Those connections can help them feel socially alive and be in a better headspace for building friendships."

A growing social movement

Maguire Sciberras, 24, is one of the team leaders of Newy Active Co, another community group in Newcastle on a mission to connect young people and boost wellbeing.

It runs weekly social activities including pickleball competitions, Pilates on the beach, line dancing and trivia nights.

"I finished uni and all my friends were at different life stages, so I started attending just to meet new people when I was in that low space," Mr Sciberras said.

"Doing physical things together is a way to bring people together and build up a bit of teamwork in a low-pressure environment … just have that social interaction that we've been lacking."

Since hosting its first session in July 2024, Newy Active Co has grown into an online movement with more than 10,000 followers on Instagram.

"The end goal is to have an Active Co in every major city in Australia so we can try to build up that connection among young people," Mr Sciberras said.

"We've all been there, and we will support you."

Back down at Merewether Ocean Baths, the Moist Mondays crew is warming up with a coffee while watching the sunrise.

Ms Saxby believes young people should be encouraged to try something new.

"It can do absolute wonders for learning how to talk to people and connect with people that you wouldn't meet any other way," she said.

"Having that little bit of bravery and finding something that you love [can] help loneliness go away really quickly."

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