Mental Health & Financial Wellbeing

Financial stress is one of the most common and well-documented contributors to mental health difficulty in Australia. Dealing with debt, unexpected bills, the threat of legal action, or the inability to meet basic expenses can cause significant anxiety, depression, and in serious cases, crisis. If you are finding it hard to cope, reaching out for help — whether to a financial counsellor, a mental health service, or both — is a sign of strength. These services are free, confidential and available to everyone.

Beyond Blue

Beyond Blue is one of Australia's most widely known mental health organisations, providing support for anxiety, depression and other mental health difficulties. Beyond Blue has specific resources addressing financial stress as a contributor to mental health difficulty. Support is available by phone and online chat — you do not need a referral or a GP visit to access it.

beyondblue.org.au — Beyond Blue

Call 1300 22 4636 (24 hours, 7 days) or use the online chat — general mental health support including for financial stress and anxiety.

Lifeline

Lifeline provides 24/7 crisis support for Australians experiencing personal crisis or suicidal thoughts. Lifeline also publishes resources on financial stress and its relationship to mental wellbeing. If you or someone you know is in crisis, Lifeline's phone line is available around the clock.

lifeline.org.au — Lifeline Australia

Call 13 11 14 (24 hours, 7 days) for crisis support — also available via text (0477 13 11 14) and online chat.

MindSpot

MindSpot is a free online and telephone mental health treatment service from Macquarie University, funded by the Australian Government. MindSpot provides evidence-based assessment and treatment for anxiety, depression, stress and related conditions. The service is self-referral and available to all Australians — no GP referral is needed. MindSpot's programmes are delivered online at your own pace, with access to a clinician throughout.

mindspot.org.au — MindSpot

Free online and telephone mental health treatment — anxiety, depression, stress and wellbeing programmes available without a referral. Call 1800 614 434.

Head to Health

Head to Health is the Australian Government's digital mental health gateway, providing access to government-funded mental health apps, online programmes, phone services and community services. The site also has a service finder to locate mental health services in your local area.

headtohealth.gov.au — Head to Health

Federal government mental health service finder and digital mental health gateway — find local services, online programmes and phone support options.

1800RESPECT — financial abuse and family violence

Financial abuse — where a partner or family member controls finances, withholds money, or accumulates debt in your name without your knowledge — is a recognised form of family violence. If you are experiencing financial abuse or any other form of family violence, 1800RESPECT provides confidential support around the clock.

1800respect.org.au — 1800RESPECT

Call 1800 737 732 (24 hours, 7 days) for confidential support for people experiencing family violence including financial abuse and economic control.

Financial counselling and mental health referral

Financial counsellors are trained to recognise signs of mental distress and refer clients to appropriate mental health supports as part of holistic assistance. Many financial counselling services — including those in the Financial Wellbeing Collective's network — treat financial and mental wellbeing as interconnected and can provide warm referrals to mental health services where needed. The National Debt Helpline (call 1800 007 007, Mon–Fri 9:30am–4:30pm AEST) is a good starting point for both financial counselling and referral support.

ndh.org.au — National Debt Helpline

Call 1800 007 007 (free call) to speak with a financial counsellor who can help with debt options and refer you to mental health support where appropriate.

Merion's approach

Merion acknowledges that dealing with a debt — whether as a creditor trying to recover money owed or as a debtor facing collection action — can be stressful. Merion supports access to hardship arrangements and will not add to a person's distress unnecessarily. If you have received a notice from Merion and are experiencing financial hardship or personal difficulty, please contact us — we have a hardship policy and can discuss appropriate arrangements.

Related Merion resources

• Financial Hardship Help — free financial counselling and hardship assistance services across Australia.
• Merion Hardship Policy — your rights and how to request a hardship arrangement if you have received a notice from us.