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The Age
5 days ago
- Health
- The Age
How the housing crisis is fuelling a mental health catastrophe
Every day more Australians are forced to spend a huge share of income on rent or mortgages, putting them under intense stress. In 2024, all major cities hit record rental unaffordability: the National Shelter/SGS Rental Affordability Index reports that rents have surged so much that householders on JobSeeker or basic pensions now find every market 'critically unaffordable'. In Sydney the median rent is $700+ a week (30 per cent of median income) and in Perth $600+ (31 per cent). Homeownership is ever more distant, vacancy rates have collapsed, and poorer renters in Melbourne, Adelaide and Brisbane are facing similar gaps between incomes and costs. This housing stress is now routine. A recent survey found four in five renters spend over 30 per cent of their income on housing. Over three-quarters of renters and mortgage-holders say the crisis has made them fear for their financial security. The toll shows up starkly on our streets and doorsteps. Australia's last census (2021) counted about 122,494 people as homeless on one night: including 7600 rough sleepers, and 23 per cent of those were aged 12 to 24. Meanwhile, everyday Australians tell similar stories of constant anxiety: pressure to find or keep a home, desperate rental searches, or living out of garages and boarding houses, eroding their sense of dignity. Tenants describe how endless rent hikes and knock-backs made them feel 'less human', always worried about losing any roof over their head. As housing stress deepens, Australia is also seeing a surge in mental ill-health. Decades of data show young people's psychological distress and diagnosed disorders have soared. For example, analysis of national surveys found the share of 15 to 25-year-olds with high psychological distress more than doubled from 2007 to 2021. The proportion of young Australians reporting a mental disorder in the past year jumped from 26 per cent in 2007 to about 40 per cent by 2022. In 2021–22, three-quarters of 15 to 24-year-olds had at least one chronic condition, with anxiety disorders affecting 26 per cent and depression 17 per cent. Loading Suicide and self-harm remain alarmingly high: they are the leading cause of death for young men (among injury deaths) and anxiety disorders the top issue for young women. In short, mental illness is now the single largest health burden facing teens and young adults in Australia. The pressure on mental health services is immense. GPs provide 85 per cent of mental-health prescriptions, and in 2021–22 people aged 12 to 24 already made up 23 per cent of all Medicare-funded mental health service users. Sharon Callister, CEO of welfare group Mission Australia, notes that one in five young people report severe distress and more than a fifth rank mental health as their biggest personal challenge. She warns 'so many young people are struggling with stress, anxiety, loneliness and depression', highlighting an 'urgent need for increased mental health support'. Clinics and hotlines are overwhelmed, and long waits for care are the norm, a reality far harsher for those also battling housing insecurity.
Sydney Morning Herald
5 days ago
- Health
- Sydney Morning Herald
How the housing crisis is fuelling a mental health catastrophe
Every day more Australians are forced to spend a huge share of income on rent or mortgages, putting them under intense stress. In 2024, all major cities hit record rental unaffordability: the National Shelter/SGS Rental Affordability Index reports that rents have surged so much that householders on JobSeeker or basic pensions now find every market 'critically unaffordable'. In Sydney the median rent is $700+ a week (30 per cent of median income) and in Perth $600+ (31 per cent). Homeownership is ever more distant, vacancy rates have collapsed, and poorer renters in Melbourne, Adelaide and Brisbane are facing similar gaps between incomes and costs. This housing stress is now routine. A recent survey found four in five renters spend over 30 per cent of their income on housing. Over three-quarters of renters and mortgage-holders say the crisis has made them fear for their financial security. The toll shows up starkly on our streets and doorsteps. Australia's last census (2021) counted about 122,494 people as homeless on one night: including 7600 rough sleepers, and 23 per cent of those were aged 12 to 24. Meanwhile, everyday Australians tell similar stories of constant anxiety: pressure to find or keep a home, desperate rental searches, or living out of garages and boarding houses, eroding their sense of dignity. Tenants describe how endless rent hikes and knock-backs made them feel 'less human', always worried about losing any roof over their head. As housing stress deepens, Australia is also seeing a surge in mental ill-health. Decades of data show young people's psychological distress and diagnosed disorders have soared. For example, analysis of national surveys found the share of 15 to 25-year-olds with high psychological distress more than doubled from 2007 to 2021. The proportion of young Australians reporting a mental disorder in the past year jumped from 26 per cent in 2007 to about 40 per cent by 2022. In 2021–22, three-quarters of 15 to 24-year-olds had at least one chronic condition, with anxiety disorders affecting 26 per cent and depression 17 per cent. Loading Suicide and self-harm remain alarmingly high: they are the leading cause of death for young men (among injury deaths) and anxiety disorders the top issue for young women. In short, mental illness is now the single largest health burden facing teens and young adults in Australia. The pressure on mental health services is immense. GPs provide 85 per cent of mental-health prescriptions, and in 2021–22 people aged 12 to 24 already made up 23 per cent of all Medicare-funded mental health service users. Sharon Callister, CEO of welfare group Mission Australia, notes that one in five young people report severe distress and more than a fifth rank mental health as their biggest personal challenge. She warns 'so many young people are struggling with stress, anxiety, loneliness and depression', highlighting an 'urgent need for increased mental health support'. Clinics and hotlines are overwhelmed, and long waits for care are the norm, a reality far harsher for those also battling housing insecurity.
Scoop
6 days ago
- Business
- Scoop
More Claim Social Development Benefits During May
Latest numbers show 27,243 more people received a benefit in May, compared to the year before. The Ministry of Social Development's monthly update shows the number of people on a benefit in New Zealand rose by just over seven percent to 403,311 in that time. The unemployment rate is 5.1 percent. Most of the increase is due to people accessing JobSeeker support - there was an 11 percent rise of just over 21,000, to a total 213,831. In May, 9.5 percent more people found work, compared to the same time last year, but eight percent more benefits were cancelled than a year ago - a total of just over 6000 - for other reasons, including sanctions. The Government aims to reduce the number of people on the Jobseeker Support benefit by 50,000 by 2030, introducing a traffic-light system and new non-financial sanctions, and changing the re-application for job seekers to every six months, instead of each year.
RNZ News
6 days ago
- Business
- RNZ News
More claim social development benefits during May
Unemployment is at 5.1 percent through May. Photo: JES2UFOTO Latest numbers show 27,243 more people received a benefit in May, compared to the year before. The Ministry of Social Development's monthly update shows the number of people on a benefit in New Zealand rose by just over seven percent to 403,311 in that time. The unemployment rate is 5.1 percent. Most of the increase is due to people accessing JobSeeker support - there was an 11 percent rise of just over 21,000, to a total 213,831. In May, 9.5 percent more people found work, compared to the same time last year, but eight percent more benefits were cancelled than a year ago - a total of just over 6000 - for other reasons, including sanctions. The Government aims to reduce the number of people on the Jobseeker Support benefit by 50,000 by 2030, introducing a traffic-light system and new non-financial sanctions , and changing the re-application for job seekers to every six months, instead of each year.
Time of India
12-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Centrelink cash boost for Australians arrives July 1: How to claim & who's eligible
Live Events What's Changing & When From July 1, payments and thresholds across many social services will rise by 2.4%. The increase follows earlier payment raises made in January and March this year. Who Gets More Money in this Cash Boost JobSeeker, Youth Allowance, Austudy, ABSTUDY Living Allowance, Parenting Payment, and Special Benefit Age Pension, Disability Support Pension, and Carer Payment Family Tax Benefit Part A & B, Paid Parental Leave, Newborn Supplement, and Multiple Birth Allowance How Much Will You Receive? Families with children under 13 in Family Tax Benefit A will gain about $5 extra per fortnight. Families with children aged 13+ will see the rate climb to $295.82 per fortnight. Newborn Supplement recipients receive roughly $48 more over 13 weeks. Triplet parents pick up an extra $120 over the year. The Paid Parental Leave income cap rises, too; the individual limit is $180,007, and the family cap is $373,094. What Isn't Included This Round Youth and student payments were already adjusted in January, so they won't see another rise now. JobSeeker and similar payments go next in March and September indexation cycles. How to Access the Cash Boost No action is needed; eligible recipients receive the extra cash automatically after July 1. Ensure your myGov–Centrelink account is up to date, especially bank details and personal information [you can update key changes online]. Check the Department of Social Services website for new rates and eligibility thresholds. Government Perspective (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel Around 2.4 million Australians who rely on Centrelink and Services Australia support will receive a small increase in their payments starting July 1. This cash boost for Australians is part of the government's recent increase in social services by 2.4%, offering some relief to families, job seekers, students, pensioners, and automatic indexation means eligible recipients of JobSeeker, Youth Allowance, Austudy, ABSTUDY Living Allowance, Parenting Payment, and Special Benefit will receive more money in their bank receiving paid parental leave, family tax benefits (Parts A and B), newborn supplements, or multiple birth Allowances will also addition, pensioners and carers, those on the Age Pension, Disability Support Pension, and Carer Payment, will see modest increases as income and asset thresholds are regular adjustment is made to keep payments in line with the cost of 2.4 million people will benefit, including recipients of:Social Services Minister Tanya Plibersek said this indexation reflects the rising cost of living. She noted, 'From 1 July, millions of recipients of social security payments will see more money in their bank accounts.'If you receive a Centrelink or Services Australia payment listed above, expect a modest automatic boost from July 1. No action needed, just keep your details current and check your account. For complete rate breakdowns, visit the Department of Social Services website.
