Australians with big mortgages are stressed out – and the mental health toll is heavy
News Source
•Thu, 17 Sep 2026 15:00:54 GMT
📰 What Happened
A new study looked at how home loan stress affects the mind. It found people who spend more than 30% of their pay on their mortgage feel much worse mentally. Their mental health fell about three times more than others with money problems.
Emily Knights is 34 and works as a nurse in Geelong. After a breakup, she pays about half her wage on her home. She says she is barely scraping by and feels anxious most of the time.
🔍 The Backstory
Australian home prices have climbed for many years. In 2022 and 2023 the Reserve Bank raised interest rates many times to fight inflation. That made monthly repayments jump for people with loans.
Experts have linked money trouble to poor mental health for a long time. Rising rents and living costs have made the problem worse for many families.
🎯 Why It Matters
Many Australians owe money on a home. This study shows the worry is not just about money. It can also harm people's mental health and daily lives.
A new study looked at how home loan stress affects the mind. It found people who spend more than 30% of their pay on their mortgage feel much worse mentally. Their mental health fell about three times more than others with money problems.
Emily Knights is 34 and works as a nurse in Geelong. After a breakup, she pays about half her wage on her home. She says she is barely scraping by and feels anxious most of the time.
Australian home prices have climbed for many years. In 2022 and 2023 the Reserve Bank raised interest rates many times to fight inflation. That made monthly repayments jump for people with loans.
Experts have linked money trouble to poor mental health for a long time. Rising rents and living costs have made the problem worse for many families.
Many Australians owe money on a home. This study shows the worry is not just about money. It can also harm people's mental health and daily lives.