We specialise in helping vulnerable Australians manage financial difficulty and mental well-being. We also understand that not everybody who visits our website will be comfortable taking the first steps to contact us for help. That’s why we’ve included a lot of information on this page about how we may be able to help in certain situations, and also other services that may be a better fit for your circumstances.
Additional resources and assistance
In our experience, many different situations can lead to financial difficulty, and often, solving those financial problems is only the first step to debt relief. So, if you’re experiencing any of the issues discussed on this page, we will always seek to find the very best support services to help you move forward with your life.
FAMILY VIOLENCE
Family violence, or domestic abuse as it has been more commonly known, is a systemic issue in the Australian community and can impact anyone. Family violence does not need to be physical, it can be emotional, financial and psychological, amongst a range of other forms of abuse. It’s unacceptable and there is no excuse for it.
There are many signs of an abusive relationship, and having a fear of your partner or family member is often the biggest indicator. If you feel like you have to walk on eggshells around them, constantly watching what you say and do in order to avoid conflict, then chances are your relationship is unhealthy and abusive. Other signs include a partner who puts you down verbally or constantly tries to control you. The result is you feeling self-hatred, helplessness and trapped.
There is a way out and you are not alone, nor should you be. Reaching out is the first step in moving forward to where you should be as opposed to where you are.
Below you will find resources which you might find helpful. You’re welcome to contact us here and you might also find it useful to touch base with www.1800respect.org.au
FINANCIAL ABUSE
Financial abuse is another form of family violence and is far more common than you may realise. Like family violence, financial abuse comes in many different forms. Generally financial abuse is where one person controls or influences another persons financial decisions, which generally disadvantages that person. It may be a person forcing or coercing you to take loans in your name, but for their benefit. It could be someone forcing you to transfer assets from you to them, it could be as simple and subtle as someone restricting the money you need to buy groceries or pay bills such as electricity or gas.
It is not uncommon for a victim to regularly account for every cent they spend, or regularly feel anxious and worried when spending and then being accountable to their abuser – and that’s what this person is, an abuser who has taken advantage – there is NO excuse for this behaviour, but there is help available, when you’re ready.
To provide context, sometimes an abuser may use subtle tactics like manipulation while other abusers may be more overt, demanding, and intimidating. The end goal is always the same; to gain power and control in a relationship to the financial disadvantage of the victim. Below we have provided resources that will provide you with more information and assistance. We’re always happy to listen and you can contact us here. To ease the path and provide you with additional support & debt relief, we’ve provided some other resources below which we hope you find helpful.
MENTAL HEALTH & MENTAL ILLNESS
Over 3 million Australians suffer from mental illness. 1 in every 3 Australians will suffer from some form of mental illness at one time or another. You are not alone, and don’t need to be
Mental illness can impact anyone. Large or small, rich or not so rich. Mental illness comes in all shapes and sizes. Common examples are stress, anxiety, depression and less common, but just as important types of mental illness can include schizophrenia and personality disorders amongst many others.
Where mental health issues persist, it is not uncommon for these issues to become long term mental illness. The sooner you can start the process of dealing with mental health issues, the greater the chance of recovery and opportunity to stem the impacts from it.
You’re welcome to reach out to us here, we’ve also included some other resources below which you might find helpful
www.sane.org/services/help-centre
HOMELESSNESS
People experiencing homelessness, and those at risk of homelessness, are among Australia’s most socially and economically disadvantaged. 1 in 8 Australians have experienced homelessness at some point in their lives, and on any given night, 1 in 200 Australians are homeless.
Homelessness can result because of a range or combination of issues, which are generally indiscriminate. There is a broad range of issues which can contribute to, or cause homelessness, such as unemployment, mental illness, addiction or substance abuse, an abusive relationship or just the perfect storm where you just can’t catch a break.
If you or someone you know are homeless or, just as importantly, believe you may soon become homeless, please feel free contact us, we may be able to arrange temporary or emergency accommodation. So you know you are not in this alone, we’ve also provided other resources below which you might find help.
https://streetsmartaustralia.org/contact/
https://www.salvationarmy.org.au/need-help/homelessness-support-services
ELDER ABUSE
Elder abuse, simply explained, is where an elderly person is taken advantage to the financial benefit of another, impacting that elderly person’s financial position, assets and potential liabilities.
Some examples of elder abuse might include coercing an elderly person to take a loan in their name from which they get no advantage or where a person controls the finances of an elderly person, for instance, withdrawing their savings or regular government payments. Because elder abuse can be so complex and take many forms, we’ve provided resources below to better educate and assist you. If you find these resources are not appropriate for you, you’re always welcome to contact Small Village Therapy to have a chat.
REFUGEE ASSISTANCE
By definition, a refugee is someone who flees their homeland because of war, persecution or fear for their safety, seeking refuge in a country where their human rights are recognised and respected. When a refugee arrives in Australia, they are likely vulnerable and at risk, making them susceptible to being taken advantage of, creating the potential for financial difficulty and mental health issues. Our aim is to provide a hub where refugees can chat and discuss common issues, seeking solutions which otherwise would not be obvious. With this in mind, we welcome you to contact us or if you feel more comfortable, you may want to consider the links below which are alternative options to familiarise yourself with your rights and the obligations of organisations you may deal with.
www.legalaid.nsw.gov.au/what-we-do/civil-law/refugee-service
SUBSTANCE ABUSE
Substance abuse, mental health and financial difficulty go hand in glove. The cycle can feel never ending, unbreakable and can impact just about every area of a person’s life. The cycle can be broken, if you are ready to break it. It’s OK if you’re not at the stage where you are ready to break the cycle, there is no shame in using a crutch whilst you’re injured, much in the same way as we turn to substances to get us through tough periods. Irrespective of if you’re at the stage where you’re ready to make changes or simply thinking about it, we’re here and you’re welcome to have a chat with us, in case you’re not at that stage where you want to have a chat, we’ve included some helpful links below that might provide assistance and support at the stage you’re at right now
VETERANS
We recognise the selfless service our veterans have provided to our country. Unfortunately, that recognition is not always two ways, causing some of the finest members of our community to fall through the cracks and safety nets which should catch them every single time they fall over. We would like to provide a further safety net where the others might have failed. To this end, we’ve provided some resources below which are really helpful. If you find these resources aren’t the right fit for you, reach out and we’ll provide any assistance we can (within our resources) or do our best to find the right resources for you.
HARDSHIP
The Financial Rights Legal Centre defines hardship as difficulty in making payments when they are due.
Just like we can’t see around corners, it’s difficult, if not impossible to see a change in your circumstances which might cause hardship. Hardship can happen because a range or combination of reasons which could include, but definitely not limited to, unemployment, illness, mental health issues, over commitment, you were forced or coerced to take a loan, you’re a victim of an abusive relationship and the list goes on.
Below are the contact details for services which can offer guidance, debt management services, debt relief and support:
ASIC’s Money Smart Website – www.moneysmart.gov.au
Financial Rights Legal Centre – www.financialrights.org.au –
National Debt Helpline www.ndh.org.au – 1800 007 007