Is there a magic number of friends you need to be happy? Science says yes

You wake up to a buzzing phone. Group chats, memes, event invites—it looks like a full social calendar. But when something truly heavy hits, you scroll past a hundred names, unsure who to text. Who won’t make it awkward? Who will really understand?

This isn’t a rare crisis. It’s an invisible epidemic of modern loneliness. And new research from News Corp’s Growth Distillery and Medibank reveals that there may be a surprisingly specific remedy: five reliable friends.

Why Two Friends Make All the Difference
The study, recently cited by VICE, discovered a sharp contrast in mental health depending on the number of dependable people in one’s life. Those with good mental health had, on average, five people they could count on. Those struggling mentally? Just over three.

That seemingly small difference—just two people—is often the tipping point between feeling supported and sinking into isolation. As the report suggests, it’s the line between “I’ve got this” and “I don’t want to bother anyone.”

Many of us tick all the social boxes—we show up, we’re helpful, we laugh at the right moments. But the deeper conversations never happen. Maybe we don’t want to look vulnerable. Maybe we don’t know how to begin.

The problem isn’t apathy. It’s discomfort and uncertainty. So, we stay silent, laughing off burnout and hiding real hurt behind ‘busy’.

The Science of Real Connection
Connection isn’t a bonus—it’s a lifeline. And building it doesn’t demand a perfectly curated support circle or a TED Talk-worthy conversation. Sometimes, all it takes is one honest message: “I’m not okay today.”

You don’t need a new social app or a therapy-trained friend. You need someone who’ll answer your call without judgment—and who knows you’d do the same for them.

Five friends. That’s the number. It may sound simple, but it’s foundational. And if you're starting from scratch, don’t lose heart. Even one genuine conversation can be the first step toward building your circle.