Young woman gave up doctor’s appointments to afford rent: ‘I’m drowning in the cost of living crisis
Beautician, 24, reveals she had to stop her mental health treatment so she could pay the rent despite making $1,000 a week
A young woman has revealed that she can no longer afford to see her therapist or buy antidepressants as the cost of living crisis worsens.
Tia Jaie, 24, from Perth, recently revealed that she ditched her psychotherapist and medication because she couldn’t afford to spend $500 per session.
The esthetician and eyelash stylist earns nearly $1,000 a week, but says “spending half of that on mental health” became unsustainable.
She unfortunately had to start prioritizing paying her $545 a week rent – along with allocating money to the house she is currently building.
The 24-year-old said she had to deal with a horde of “cruel trolls” who told her to get a “real job” instead of whining.
Tia Jaie, 24, from Perth, recently revealed she ditched her psychotherapist and antidepressants because she couldn’t afford to spend $500 per session
Tia has also had to sacrifice money to go out with her friends, which has compounded her mental health issues.
The esthetician lives with her boyfriend, Jake, but the couple was still living paycheck to paycheck until Tia decided to stop her mental health treatment.
The Australian Psychological Association’s recommended rate for psychology for 2023 is $280 for 50 minutes, with an initial assessment of $406 for an 80-minute session.
Tia also shared her concerns about the economy and other working-class Australians in a video.
“Thinking about how no one in Australia can take a break,” she said. “Many people will be left without money or homeless because of inflation.”
“Everything has gone up in price — food, fuel, rent, interest on home loans — but wages are still the same,” she added.
‘When will they stop? Or at least help those who need it?’
A young woman shares how the cost-of-living crisis has taken a ‘devastating toll’ on her health after she had to give up therapy and medication to pay the rent
Others also shared their concerns about the cost-of-living crisis, with many feeling defeated at its state.
“I’m not even an adult and I’m scared,” said one teenager. “I just want my parents to get away from it all — they work so hard for the minimum, it pains me to see. They can’t afford this.’
“I’m giving up on the dream of having a nice house and starting a new chapter. I feel so numb and defeated about it,” said one woman.
“The middle class doesn’t exist anymore – it’s just the suffering and the rich right now,” one man said bitterly.
A sad customer added: ‘I went to the Aldi yesterday and it’s now basically the same price as Woolies. The government doesn’t care at all, if they raise our wages, they raise the cost of living again.”
‘I’m single – why do my biweekly groceries cost the same as my weekly rent? What scary times,” one woman shared.
“First time homebuyers don’t even have time to actually see their partner,” added another, “imagine they have kids…what are we working for anyway?”
Another added: ‘I’m drowning. We’re not alive anymore, we’re in survival mode.”