By Laurise Dickson

ABC Newcastle

Topic: Mental Health

Thursday, 25 June 2026, 11:34 am

A group called 'Moist Mondays' helps young people in Newcastle feel better and make friends.

On a cold Monday, many young people swim in the Merewether Ocean Baths.

They swim in the ocean at 6 am when it's 10 degrees and dark.

Many young people in Newcastle swim early in the morning.

Sam Colbert, 24, swims every week.

He says, 'If I don't swim, my week doesn't start well.'

Sam is part of 'Moist Mondays', a group that swims and talks.

Sam has been swimming with the group since November 2025.

The group started small but now has many members in Sydney and the Gold Coast.

For 19-year-old Zali, swimming is not just exercise.

She likes talking to people after swimming.

Zali helps run the 'Moist Mondays' group.

Loneliness is a big problem.

Professor Ben Smith studies loneliness in young people.

He found that many young people feel lonely.

One in seven young people feel lonely for a long time.

Professor Smith says people think only old people get lonely.

After swimming, the group drinks coffee and talks.

The study found that health problems, moving away from family, or not having a job can make young people feel lonely.

Young people who are not part of a group are more likely to feel lonely.

There are 'Moist Mondays' groups in Newcastle, Sydney, and the Gold Coast.

Professor Smith says moving to a new place can make people feel lonely.

He says young people need opportunities to meet others.

'Moist Mondays' is a big social group now.

A social movement is growing.

Maguire Sciberras leads another group called Newy Active Co.

The group does fun activities like pickleball and dancing.

Maguire is part of the Newy Active Co team.

He started the group to meet new people.

Newy Active Co has many followers on Instagram.

The goal is to have groups in every big city.

The group supports each other.

Newy Active Co does many fun activities.

The 'Moist Mondays' group has coffee after swimming.

Zali thinks young people should try new things.

She says it helps people talk and connect.

The 'Moist Mondays' group has been running since 2025.

ABC Newcastle has local news.

Thursday, 25 June 2026, 11:34 am

Promotion

If you need someone to talk to, call.

Practice Listening