Extreme weather anxiety grows among Australians

Extreme weather anxiety grows among Australians | Insurance Business Australia

Insurance News

Extreme weather anxiety grows among Australians

NRMA and Lifeline respond with new mental health resources

Insurance News

By
Mav Rodriguez

A significant portion of Australians are increasingly anxious about the impact of extreme weather events, according to recent research by NRMA Insurance. The study found that 80% of Australians worry about the effects of extreme weather, with heightened concern among residents in high-risk areas (86%) and young adults aged 18-24 (90%).

The findings are featured in the latest edition of the NRMA Insurance Wild Weather Tracker, which monitors the impact of extreme weather and natural disasters. The tracker revealed that NRMA Insurance received 9,647 claims for weather-related damage to homes and vehicles nationwide during autumn.

The rising anxiety coincides with an increase in calls to mental health services, highlighting the need for robust support systems. Over the past three years, Lifeline Australia has seen a 25% increase in calls to its disaster recovery helpline, 13HELP, receiving over 430,000 calls during this period.

In response, NRMA Insurance and Lifeline Australia have launched a series of online resilience resources designed to help Australians prepare for and recover from extreme weather events. These resources, part of Lifeline’s Support Toolkit, offer practical strategies for managing stress and uncertainty before, during, and after natural disasters.

“Natural disasters and extreme weather have mental health and wellbeing impacts, particularly for younger Australians and those in high-risk areas, and building emotional resilience is just as important as being physically prepared,” said Luke Gallagher, executive general manager claims at NRMA Insurance.

The research indicates that half of Australians are most likely to turn to family members for mental health support during extreme weather events. Dr. Ally Nicolopoulos, wellbeing lead at Lifeline Australia, also pointed out the growing reliance on Lifeline’s online resources.

“Australians are turning to Lifeline’s online resources now more than ever. They’re looking to understand what they’re experiencing and to find practical ways they can manage their mental health and wellbeing,” Nicolopoulos said.

The disaster resilience resources within Lifeline’s Support Toolkit aim to provide proactive, practical strategies for protecting mental health and fostering resilience. These resources complement Lifeline’s dedicated disaster recovery line, 13HELP, offering comprehensive support to individuals and communities.