Student with Financial Struggles

Family financial struggles can have a significant impact on a student's mental health and wellbeing, as financial stress can lead to a variety of emotional and psychological challenges including: 

• Increased stress and anxiety: Financial struggles can create a sense of uncertainty and insecurity, leading to increased levels of stress and anxiety. 

• Depression: Financial difficulties can lead to feelings of hopelessness and helplessness, which can contribute to the development of depression. 

• Difficulty concentrating and learning: Financial stress can make it difficult for a student to focus on their studies, leading to poor academic performance. 

• Low self-esteem: Financial struggles can make a student feel like they are not good enough or that they are to blame for their family's financial difficulties, which can lead to low self-esteem. 

• Social isolation: Financial struggles can make it difficult for a student to participate in extracurricular activities, social events, and other experiences that are important for their social and emotional development. 

• Difficulty sleeping: Financial stress can make it difficult for a student to relax and fall asleep, leading to insomnia and other sleep-related problems. 

 

It's important to note that financial struggles can also affect the entire family, which can have a further impact on the student's mental health and well-being. 

 

School counsellors can support students whose families are undergoing significant financial struggles in a variety of ways: 

• Provide emotional support and a safe space for the student to talk about their feelings and concerns. 

• Help the student understand that their family's financial struggles are not their fault and that they are not alone in their situation. 

• Connect the student and their family with community resources that can provide financial assistance, such as food banks, housing assistance, and government benefits. 

• Provide information and resources on budgeting, financial literacy, and money management. 

• Collaborate with teachers and other school staff to ensure the student is receiving the support they need to succeed academically. 

• Provide referrals to mental health professionals if the student is experiencing significant emotional distress. 

 

It's important to keep in mind that every student and family is unique, so a school counsellor should work closely with the student and their family to develop a customised plan of support that meets their specific needs.