Helen is forty years old and works as a retail store manager. Helen’s husband John is forty-five years old and has worked in an executive position earning $150,000 per annum. He has been diagnosed with cancer and is now unable to work. Although receiving chemotherapy, John’s future does not look very bright. He has no accident / illness insurance.

Helen and John have renovated a house which is valued at $700,000 and have a mortgage debt of $500,000. The mortgage repayments are $1,900 per month.

The couple have four children, a 10 year old, a 12 year old and two teenagers. The children were attending private schools, but have recently moved to public schooling as Helen and John were unable to meet the school fees. The two older children have remained very resentful at having to leave their friends and the 12 year old is now experiencing behavioural problems both at school and at home.

The couple are now three months behind in their mortgage, and were issued with a Notice to Vacate. As yet, the family has not been able to find alternative accommodation. The Mortgagee changed the locks on the property and the family was unable to get their possessions out. This has added to the grief for the whole family.

Because John is undergoing chemotherapy, he has become very irritable and has emotionally withdrawn from his family. John feels helpless as to how to support his family and as a result feels suicidal — John refuses to attend counselling. Helen is fearful that John will try and kill himself.

Helen approached Wesley Mission for counselling and support.

The children have now been referred to a Community Health Service for counselling. Helen has now been diagnosed with depression and is taking medication. She is very concerned about her family, particularly for their future if John’s health deteriorates further.

One of Wesley Mission’s financial counsellors worked with Helen to understand her financial situation. John’s medical reports were obtained to support negotiations with the mortgagee to give the family time to sell the property at market value and to look around for a suitable property to rent.

Do you need immediate assistance? Please call the Credit and Debt Hotline: 1800 808 488