Young woman gave up doctor’s appointments to afford rent: ‘I’m drowning in the cost of living crisis

A young woman has revealed 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 could not afford to spend $500 a session.

The beauty therapist and eyelash technician earns close to $1,000 a week but says ‘spending half of that on mental health’ was becoming unsustainable.

She unfortunately had to start prioritising paying her rent of $545 a week – along with also allocating funds to the house she is currently building.

The 24-year-old said she has been dealing with a horde of ‘cruel trolls’ who tell her to get a ‘real job’ instead of whining. 

Tia has also had to sacrifice spending money on going out with her friends, which has further exacerbated her mental health issues. 

The beauty therapist lives with her boyfriend, Jake, but the pair was still living paycheque-to-paycheque until Tia decided to put her mental health treatment on hold.

The Australian Psychological Association’s recommended rate for psychology for 2023 is $280 for 50 minutes, with an initial assessment fee 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 catch a break,’ she said. ‘Many people are going to end up with no money or homeless due to the inflation.’

‘Everything has gone up in price – food, fuel, rent, interest on home loans – but the wages are still the same,’ she added.

‘When will they stop? Or at least help those that need it?’

A young woman has opened up about how the cost of living crisis has taken a ‘devastating toll’ on her health after having to forgo therapy and medication in order to afford rent

Others also shared their concerns about the cost of living crisis, with many feeling defeated about its state. 

‘I’m not even an adult and I am scared,’ a teenager said. ‘I just want my parents to have a break – they work so hard for the bare minimum, it hurts me to see. They cannot afford this.’

‘I’m giving up on the dream of having a nice house and starting my new chapter. I feel so numb and defeated about it,’ a woman said.

‘The middle class doesn’t exist anymore – it’s just the suffering and the rich at this point,’ a man said bitterly.

A sad shopper added: ‘I went into 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’ll then raise the cost of living once more.’

‘I am a single person – why does my fortnightly groceries cost the same as my weekly rent? Such scary times,’ a woman shared.

‘First home buyers don’t even have time to actually see their partner,’ another added, ‘Imagine when they have kids … what are we even working for?’

Another added, ‘I am drowning. We aren’t living anymore, we are in survival mode.’