ACDC project highlights struggles with cost of living challenges and accessing help

Housing and financial stress are key problems facing those living in Townsville’s struggling suburbs according to a door knocking survey. See what else is challenging residents.

Selectability's Jared Zenger, Brayden Hall, Emily Forova have door knocked throughout Townsville for the ACDC project. Picture: CMHA.

Residents struggling with housing and financial stress often don’t know where to find help, according to an ambitious national door knocking survey which targeted three of Townsville’s lower socio-economic suburbs.

Rather than waiting for people to present to services and ask for help, the proactive Assisting Communities through Direct Connection (ACDC) project targeted 27 Australian regions, including the Townsville suburbs of Aitkenvale, Heatley, and Rasmussen.

Working on behalf of Community Mental Health Australia (CMHA), three staff from NQ mental health provider Selectability knocked on 2,850 doors between June and November 2023, engaging with 1,121 residents and completing 201 surveys.

Following the recent release of the project’s findings by the University of Western Australia’s Centre for Social Impact, Selectability’s carer co-ordinator and ACDC Project manager Kathryn Konidis said disadvantaged suburbs tended to have more barriers.

“People were quite distressed and found challenges with their housing. They were also under some significant financial stress and physical health issues,” Ms Konidis said.

Large problems/challenges reported by Townsville householders. Picture: CMHA.

“We know that homelessness and the lack of housing is a national problem, but from these results, some of those suburbs in Townsville council sit higher than the national results … so that’s quite alarming.

“With those pressures like housing and financial pressures, the flow on effect … (is that) they’re disconnecting from society, and then their mental health and wellbeing is being compromised.”

Selectability’s carer co-ordinator and ACDC Project manager Kathryn Konidis.

She said struggling locals, particularly those who were caring for others, were not aware of what services were available to support them, or where to start.

The digital divide was also a problem, where 16 per cent had limited or no access to a computer or other device, and 25 per cent experienced one or more barriers to accessing telehealth services.

Barriers to getting the right help in Townsville. Picture: CMHA.

By pushing out the survey’s results to governments, stakeholders and service providers, Ms Konidis hoped it would prompt a re-evaluation in their approaches to find the gaps and better connect with the community.

ACDC Project manager and CMHA chief executive Bill Gye said the high rates of “very high distress” in certain areas of Townsville, significantly surpassing national averages, were “alarming and pose a risk to communal harmony”.

Selectability's Jared Zenger, Brayden Hall, Emily Forova have door knocked throughout Townsville for the ACDC project. Picture: CMHA.

“High levels of distress in families and communities can spread quickly among populations. It’s imperative that leadership at all levels not only strives to tackle pressing issues like housing insecurity, economic strain, and climate impacts, but also improves psychosocial support systems,” Mr Gye said.

“Enhanced access to mental health resources is crucial to empower residents with the support needed for emotional wellbeing and to foster resilience amid ongoing adversities.”

Townsville ACDC Project findings

Large problems/challenges reported by householders:

• Housing – 22 per cent

• Financial stress – 20 per cent

• Physical health issues – 12 per cent

• Climate change – 8 per cent

• Loss, bereavement, Sorry Business – 7 per cent

• Social isolation or loneliness – 6 per cent

• Family, relationships – 6 per cent

• Unemployment – 5 per cent

• Covid pandemic – 4 per cent

• Discrimination, prejudice, stigma – 2 per cent

• Alcohol or drug use – 2 per cent

• Natural disasters – 2 per cent

• Not having enough food – 1 per cent

Technological barriers to getting the help in Townsville. Picture: CMHA.

Things that stopped householders from contacting services:

• I prefer to self-manage – 43 per cent

• I did not feel unwell enough – 29 per cent

• I didn’t think anything would help – 17 per cent

• I was too busy/could not find time -16 per cent

• Afraid/embarrassed/ashamed to ask for help – 14 per cent

• Fear/anxiety about accessing help – 14 per cent

Things that stopped householders from accessing support, despite trying:

• I couldn’t afford the service – 24 per cent

• The process of accessing support was too complex, difficult, overwhelming – 24 per cent

• I am on a waitlist -18 per cent

• I could not get an appointment in a reasonable time – 14 per cent

• I was not eligible – 10 per cent

The ACDC project was an opportunity to support to those who might have fallen through the gaps in Townsville. Picture: CMHA.

Support needs:

• Talking to a professional face-to-face – 63 per cent

• Peer support, talking to others who have experienced the same – 35 per cent

• Practical assistance – 30 per cent

• Talking to a professional via Telehealth – 23 per cent

• Having an alternative to hospital emergency departments – 19 per cent

• Pet, animal companion – 19 per cent

• Support to strengthen cultural ties – 6 per cent

Originally published as ACDC project highlights struggles with cost of living challenges and accessing help