In summary:
- The end-of-year period can intensify psychological distress due to disrupted routines, reduced service access, financial pressure, and strained relationships.
- Recent community trauma, including the Bondi attacks, has heightened grief, fear and vulnerability, particularly in Sydney and affected communities.
- Intergroup tension be they racial, cultural or religious risks excluding people and dividing communities increasing preexisting trauma and creating disconnection.
- Loneliness remains a major risk factor, strongly linked to increased anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts across age groups.
- Financial stress is affecting around half of Australians and often compounds other mental health risks during the holiday period.
- Relationship strain and domestic and family violence historically increase over major holidays, underscoring the need for vigilance and early intervention.
- Psychologists are supporting rising client needs amid workforce fatigue, making sustainable practice and self-care critical.
- Psychologists play a key role in restoring safety, connection, and access to support during periods of heightened community stress.
- Support services: Lifeline 13 11 14; 1800RESPECT 1800 737 732; Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800; Parent Line 1300 1300 52.
For a proportion of the community, the holiday period can be marked by heightened stress, loneliness and financial pressures – often compounded by fatigue accumulated over several demanding years. Here are some resources psychologists can draw on to support them.
While the end of year can bring welcome moments of rest and reconnection, it can also amplify vulnerabilities for people already experiencing psychological distress.
Disruptions to routine, reduced access to services, strained family relationships and the ongoing impact of cost-of-living pressures can all contribute to a deterioration in wellbeing at this time of year.
“What we often see over the holiday period is an intensification of issues people have been managing throughout the year," says Dr Zena Burgess, CEO, APS.
"The community is also reeling from the antisemitic attacks that took place in Sydney on Sunday, which have tragically resulted in the deaths of multiple members of the community and left many others injured. The end of 2025 is going to be an incredibly difficult time for a lot of people this year."
For psychologists, this period can present a dual challenge: responding to increased client needs while also managing their own energy, boundaries, and recovery after a long year of emotionally demanding work.
“Psychologists will continue to provide essential care during the holiday period, often at a time when other support is less accessible. That work is incredibly important, but it can also be demanding, so I encourage members to take care of themselves during this time."
Below, the APS shares practical resources to help members support their clients – and themselves – through the holiday period.
Supporting the community following the Bondi attacks
The end-of-year period may be particularly challenging for people living in Sydney and members of the Jewish community following the antisemitic attacks that took place in Bondi over the weekend, says Dr Burgess.
“We are all deeply saddened by this tragedy and are thinking of the families and friends of the victims of this horrific event,” she says. “Our profession stands ready to support the Jewish community, and to support individuals, families and other communities as they process what has occurred.”
Dr Burgess encourages psychologists to draw on available resources to help their clients navigate the emotional impact of these events in the days, weeks and months ahead.
“It is important to support people to process distress, restore a sense of safety and strengthen connection at a time when many may feel unsettled or vulnerable,” she says.
“Hate has no place in our society, and we look to the government to work alongside community and professional groups to address these distressing issues and help create safety in our communities."
Examples of resources:
Helping clients who are feeling lonely
A recent report from Ending Loneliness Together, a collaboration between established leaders and experts in the field of loneliness, found that two in five young Australians experience loneliness. Of these, one in four report episodic loneliness, while one in seven say their loneliness persists for two years or longer.
The report also found that young people who experience persistent loneliness are significantly more likely to experience broader psychological distress.
“We know that this time of year can be particularly difficult for many Australians, not just young people,” says Dr Burgess. “Periods of leave and disruption to routine can mean people are temporarily untethered from common sources of connection and purpose, such as workplaces, universities and school communities."
This sense of disconnection is not limited to younger Australians. Separate research from Beyond Blue, released in October this year, found an overall decline in Australians’ sense of community belonging – a factor closely linked to loneliness and rising rates of anxiety and depression.
Across Australia, just 33 per cent of the population rated their sense of being part of a community as "excellent" or "very good", which is a four per cent decrease from 2022.
“Feeling a strong sense of connection to your community can be a salve for some of the challenges that arise during the holiday period," says Dr Burgess.
According to the report, people experiencing loneliness were more than twice as likely to self-report suicidal thoughts or behaviours compared to the general population (29 per cent compared to 13 per cent).
They were also significantly more likely to report symptoms of depression (66 per cent versus 38 per cent) and anxiety (76 per cent versus 56 per cent).
“Loneliness is not a benign experience. By supporting social connection and helping people stay engaged with sources of meaning and belonging, psychologists can play a vital role in reducing distress and protecting mental health, particularly during times of change and disruption," says Dr Burgess.
Those living in rural and remote areas may be particularly vulnerable if they are unable to be surrounded by friends and family at a time when others are, she adds.
Resources:
Helping clients facing financial pressures
The Beyond Blue research also found that one in two Australians are experiencing psychological distress linked to financial pressures, with these pressures often intensifying in the lead-up to and during the holiday period.
Ongoing increases to living costs, reduced work hours for some and increased expectations around socialising and gift-giving can place additional financial strain on individuals and families who may already be managing tight budgets.
For many people, financial stress does not occur in isolation. It often interacts with other risk factors such as disrupted routines, family obligations and concerns about the year ahead, potentially increasing vulnerability to anxiety, low mood, and feelings of overwhelm.
“The costs start to add up quickly – from food and energy bills to travel, gifts and school holiday expenses,” says Dr Burgess. “For many people, these financial pressures are layered on top of an already challenging year – or years – and that cumulative strain can take a real toll on mental health and wellbeing.”
The holiday period can also limit access to usual coping supports, such as work-based structure or regular services, further compounding distress.
Resources:
Contacts:
Navigating relational pressures
Relationship pressures are another common source of stress during the holiday period, with increased time spent with family and loved ones often bringing long-standing tensions to the surface.
Expectations around harmony, togetherness and celebration can clash with complex family dynamics, unresolved conflict or differing values, creating emotional strain for many individuals.
For some people, the holiday period may involve navigating difficult conversations, managing boundaries around differing social and/or political views, or reconnecting with estranged family members. Others may experience stress related to relationship breakdowns, grief, or the absence of significant relationships, which can be particularly pronounced during broader moments of celebrations.
“Periods of extended time together can amplify existing relationship challenges,” says Dr Burgess. “When people feel pressure to meet expectations of closeness or harmony, it can become harder to manage conflict or communicate needs effectively.”
Separately, incidents of domestic and family violence are historically known to increase during the holiday period. NSW data shows that both domestic violence and non-domestic violence assault peak on New Year’s Day more than on any other day of the year, according to 2024 figures.
Other research released in 2024 points to similar patterns across the country, including a 24.2 per cent increase in family violence in Western Australia, a 32 per cent increase in Queensland, and, on Christmas Day alone, a 33 per cent increase reported in Victoria.
These findings underscore the heightened risk that can emerge when financial stress, excessive alcohol use, disrupted routines, and increased time at home intersect.
“This is a nationwide issue that must be taken seriously," says Dr Burgess. "The holiday period can exacerbate existing risk factors for domestic and family violence, and these patterns remind us of the importance of vigilance, early intervention and accessible support.
"Psychologists play a critical role in recognising risk, supporting those affected, and helping to connect individuals and families with appropriate services during this high-risk time.”
Resources:
Contacts:
Taking care of yourself
With all these holiday-related challenges in mind, it is important that psychologists also prioritise their own wellbeing during what can be a heightened period of community stress.
Increased client distress, exposure to traumatic material and the emotional weight of supporting individuals and families through complex circumstances can place additional demands on psychologists at a time when many are themselves fatigued after a long year.
For some, the holiday period may involve managing heavier caseloads, reduced referral options, or concerns about client safety during service closures.
Others may be balancing professional responsibilities alongside their own family commitments, financial pressures or the need for rest and recovery. Without deliberate attention to boundaries and self-care, this cumulative load can increase the risk of burnout and compassion fatigue.
“Psychologists cannot pour from an empty cup,” says Dr Burgess. “Looking after your own wellbeing is not only essential for you as a professional, but fundamental to providing safe, ethical and effective care to the community, particularly during periods of heightened demand.”
Resources:
- E-learning activity, free to members, that explores self-care strategies that are specifically catered to psychologists.
- E-learning activity, free to members, that explores key wellbeing initiatives and offers more self-care tips.