Our Research

The 2009 Wesley Report reveals that financial stress reaches out far beyond just dollars and cents, becoming a destructive force on both relationships and health.

Relationships - From the hip pocket to the heart

Our financial counsellors see it all too often. People whose relationships have broken down or are in trouble as a result of financial stress.

Financial stress puts a huge amount of strain on relationships as people blame each other for the problem. People think it's easier just to separate and walk away and not have to deal with the mess.

But walking away from the relationship doesn't necessarily mean an end to financial stress. In fact it frequently means financial problems get worse and results in life being harder to cope with than if they stayed together and tried to work on the problems together.

Then there are the children who can feel enormous amounts of stress and hurt when they see their parents or careers in financial and relationship strife.

Health - The outward signs of financial stress

The effects of financial stress can vary widely from one individual to the next.

One person will shut down and not be able to face the situation at all, ignoring not only the mounting pile of bills through the letter box, but their day to day life, even avoiding contact with other people. Another person may be frantic, running around trying desperately to know what to do, but not succeeding.

Some people will come to the Wesley Mission financial counsellors saying they haven't slept properly, if at all, in weeks, whilst others will complain of being unable or unwilling to get out of bed in the morning and face the day. When they do find the courage they feel lethargic all the time.

It's not uncommon for people who are feeling stresses, particularly about money to complain of stomach pains and cramps, colds and sinus problems, or even be more susceptible to infections.

Almost all of these health problems come back to the fact that people experiencing financial stress often have depression as a result.

Suicide - When life becomes unbearable

When financial stress gets really serious is when it causes depression to such an extreme as to lead a person to think about taking their own lives.

Financial stress may have taken everything from them: their home, their money, their relationships, and their health. The financial 'black hole' that they see themselves in may seem insurmountable.

They may feel that their family would be better off without them or their friends and family would be relived in not having to worry about them anymore.

Talk to us. We can help you.

Call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or visit the Lifeline website.

Wesley Mission urgently needs your help!

DISCLAIMER: The information provided in this information sheet is of a general nature only, and is not intended to be legal advice. There may be errors or inaccuracies or the information may not be completely up-to-date. Always check the information provided before relying on it. The information relates to consumer law in New South Wales, Australia