RW - foRWard Health & Wellbeing eMag - May 24 - Flipbook - Page 21
Vulnerable Populations
Young Australians, in par琀椀cular, are feeling the brunt of the crisis.
Financial pressures severely impact their mental wellbeing, exacerba琀椀ng
anxiety about their future prospects and current 昀椀nancial security.
Organisa琀椀ons like Headspace emphasise the heightened vulnerability
of this group, no琀椀ng the compounded e昀昀ects of the pandemic and
economic downturn on their mental health.
Help Seeking Compromised
Since rebates for psychology sessions were halved a year ago, the cost-ofliving crisis has forced Australians to compromise and even forego cri琀椀cal
mental health care.
Clinical Psychologist Elizabeth Seely-Wait, who runs two clinics in
northern and western Sydney, said the change had a profound impact on
many of her clients.
"Our clients have to space out their sessions such that they have many
weeks in between … it's prolonged their therapy," she said.
Strategies for Resilience and Support
In facing this crisis, community support and individual resilience have
never been more crucial. Engaging with local support networks and
leveraging community and Employee Assistance Program (EAP) services
can provide both emo琀椀onal backing and prac琀椀cal assistance. Financial
counselling services o昀昀er a lifeline, helping individuals navigate the
complexi琀椀es of debt and 昀椀nancial management, with resources like the
Na琀椀onal Debt Helpline playing a pivotal role.
Self-care prac琀椀ces are essen琀椀al for maintaining mental health amid
昀椀nancial stress. Exercise, healthy ea琀椀ng, and mindfulness can all
contribute to a sense of wellbeing, o昀昀ering a counterbalance to the
pressures of economic uncertainty. Professional mental health support
remains a cri琀椀cal resource, with services like Lifeline, Beyond Blue and
your employer’s EAP providing counselling and support to those in need.