Beyond Blue: Services Guide for Financial and Mental Wellbeing
On 16 June 2023 Beyond Blue and Financial Counselling Australia (FCA) launched a resource – Services Guide for Financial and Mental Wellbeing. The co-designed resource uses information and practical tools to build the capacity of the mental health and finance sectors to refer people who may benefit from financial counselling and mental health support. The aim is to reduce stigma about financial hardship and mental ill-health, and to help people access support earlier to improve their financial and mental wellbeing.
In the coming months, Beyond Blue will be releasing an online training module to further build the capacity of both sectors and hosting a webinar to help promote and embed these resources in relevant sectors.
These resources were prompted by the Money and Mental Health: Social Research Report – a collaboration between Beyond Blue and the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) – which found people experiencing financial challenges were at least twice as likely to encounter mental health issues than those who aren’t, and vice versa.
Free financial counselling is available via the National Debt Helpline on 1800 007 007.
Free legal advice about money matters for First Nations People is available at Mob Strong Debt Helpline on 1800 808 488.
Click here to read the original media release.