Australian insurer warns of anxiety levels caused by extreme weather

Over half of individuals said they turn to family for mental health support.

About 80% of Australians feel anxious about extreme weather's impact, a new NRMA Insurance research revealed. This concern is especially high amongst those in high-risk areas (86%) and young adults aged 18-24 (90%).

The rising anxiety coincides with increased demand for mental health support related to natural disasters. Lifeline Australia has experienced a 25% rise in calls to its disaster recovery helpline, 13HELP, over the past three years, receiving over 430,000 calls.

NRMA Insurance Executive General Manager Claims Luke Gallagher emphasised the importance of preparing for the social and emotional impacts of extreme weather, particularly for younger Australians and those in high-risk areas. 

Research shows that 51% of Australians turn to family members for mental health support during extreme weather.

Lifeline Australia Wellbeing Lead Dr. Ally Nicolopoulos highlighted the increasing reliance on Lifeline’s online resources for understanding and managing mental health during such events. 

The Support Toolkit allows Australians to access help in their own way, promoting resilience and positive coping mechanisms.

The NRMA Insurance Wild Weather Tracker, featuring this research, reported 9,647 claims for wild weather damage to homes and vehicles nationally during autumn. 

The online resilience resources are part of Help Nation, an NRMA Insurance initiative to help Australians prepare for extreme weather and understand their local risks.