Financial stress
Financial problems can cause stress and can have a significant impact on your mental health. For some people, the financial pressures of life may seem impossible to overcome, but there is help and support available to you.
What is financial stress?
Financial stress can occur in many situations and under various circumstances – what causes one person financial stress may not impact another. Some situations that might cause financial stress include losing your job or being retrenched, long term unemployment, being unable to get full time work, inability to pay your bills or not being able to deal with the increasing costs of living.
Worrying about money is not uncommon, however, if it is affecting your physical or emotional health and relationships it is important to seek help.
Financial stress can significantly impact your health and relationships with others. Some common signs to look out for include:
- Arguing with people close to you about money
- Withdrawing from others
- Feelings of guilt about spending money on non-essential items
- Worrying a lot or feeling anxious
- Difficulties sleeping
- Headaches
- Tiredness and lowered energy
- Struggling to feed yourself and/or your family
- Increasing debt from credit cards or loans
- Receiving legal action for debt recovery
- Fear of eviction by being behind in rent or loan repayments
- Income does not cover expenses
Below are some of the places to go for information and both practical and psychological support:
- Salvation Army - 1300 371 288 (Business hours only)
- Centrelink — a crisis payment may be available
For Crisis Support contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 (24/7) or via text (12pm-midnight AEST) on 0477 13 11 14