Latest news with #psychologicaldistress
ABC News
02-07-2025
- Business
- ABC News
One third of UTS staff suffer psychological distress as hundreds of jobs set to be axed
Staff at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) are experiencing high levels of psychological distress as they brace for 400 redundancies as part of a broader cull of Australian university workers, according to a leaked survey. The survey of 380 workers by the National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU), obtained by ABC News, found 35 per cent were experiencing very high levels of psychological distress. "There's a lot of helplessness and uncertainty and the thing that I want to draw out of here is people have this notion that's natural with change management," said Dr Hossai Gul, a UTS expert in change in complex systems. Dr Gul is risking her employment to speak out due to rules governing public comment by university staff. She said the redundancies would result in the downgrading of important areas of scholarship and teaching at the university. "That's at the core of helplessness and uncertainty. What do you say to something like that? When people are imposing that onto you?" she said. "The area you've worked with for your whole life, to teach, is for no reason at all, no longer going to be taught and therefore you might be redundant and have your job cut." It comes as university management undertakes a $100 million restructure dubbed the Operational Sustainability Initiative (OSI). "The need to reduce expenditure is necessary because our revenue does not cover our ongoing operating costs. In 2024, revenue was $1.3 billion against expenditure of $1.4 billion," a UTS spokesperson said. "We cannot continue to absorb these losses — we need to reduce spending and maintain it to protect our core teaching and research." Documents released under freedom of information laws showed UTS would spend about $5 million seeking advice from consultants KPMG on OSI which the university said was "standard practice". "KPMG has been engaged to provide advice and expertise to support the sustainability initiative under the direction of the university leadership who are responsible for all decisions," the spokesperson said. The university estimated in a town hall meeting that OSI could result in 400 job losses and courses being cut for students. "We are devastated that we are in the position of needing to cease or reorganise work which will ultimately result in job losses. These are not easy decisions and are not taken lightly," the UTS spokesperson said. SafeWork NSW is investigating the risk of psychological harm and the ABC understands the NTEU will provide the workplace watchdog with the survey. "What I've noticed around the office is that people are afraid. There is a real sense of fear of being able to openly speak about what's going on and to ask questions," said a UTS staff member, speaking anonymously to protect their employment. "When I talk about this with people it's you know, 'Come in and close the door'. Staff have set up WhatsApp groups just because they don't feel safe talking about it in other forums." The university said it was aware of risks to staff during the consultation period and was "fully cooperating" with SafeWork NSW. "UTS representatives have met with SafeWork NSW following receipt by SafeWork NSW of some complaints, particularly related to matters of workload and consultation," the spokesperson said. When the ABC took the leaked survey to the NTEU to verify its authenticity, the NTEU confirmed they undertook the staff survey. National President Dr Alison Barnes said many of the staff were at risk of losing their livelihoods. "These short-sighted job cuts are having a devastating impact on the wellbeing of staff at UTS, which can be directly linked to management's cruel failure to do proper consultation about this terrible plan," she said. "There's also been a shocking lack of consultation on the risk assessment for the change – and that's something the health and safety inspector is looking into at the moment." The survey also found 60 per cent of academic staff reported being unable to complete their workloads during paid hours. "I'm a mental health professional and very aware of the early signs of deteriorating mental health and for myself I've had to take stress leave a couple of times through this process," the anonymous staff member said. Do you have a story to share? Email The row at UTS comes after universities nationally were forced to repay hundreds of millions of dollars to staff after years of wage theft and a scathing senate inquiry into university governance. It's not yet known if senate hearings will resume later this year but an interim report alleged "systemic… non-compliance with workplace laws". Chair of the Senate Committee, Labor Senator Tony Sheldon, was highly critical of UTS in a statement to ABC News. "Decisions seem to be made behind closed doors, with staff shut out of key decisions while outside accountants are brought in to crunch numbers and make calls about people's jobs." Mr Sheldon said the government would move to "fix broken governance" as part of wider university reforms. "It's also telling that SafeWork NSW is now involved. When staff have to rely on the workplace safety regulator to be heard, that speaks volumes about the failure of leadership," he said. UTS is far from the only institution laying off workers with many universities announcing job losses. The NTEU said the cuts were causing anxiety among staff across the university sector. "This is not an isolated case. The lack of transparency and accountability in Australia's broken university governance system allows overpaid vice-chancellors and executives to make decisions that tear at the fabric of our public universities," Ms Barnes said. "Right across the country, vice-chancellors are instinctively pursuing job cuts that will cause long-term damage to public universities." University management have said the cuts are necessary because of their financial position. The sector is currently lobbying government for extra research and teaching funding.
News.com.au
27-06-2025
- News.com.au
Behind the rent crisis: Agents reaching breaking point
A tenant's chilling suicide text has reignited urgent calls for trauma training in Australia's rental sector. More than half of property managers are struggling with mental health issues, according to a national MRI Software survey that found 53 per cent were experiencing psychological distress, while 23 per cent planned to leave the industry. Leadership consultancy Sidekick reported burnout was contributing to 40 per cent of resignations in the sector. Adrian Portelli's mega Block sell off er Choice Property Group director Louisianna Giumelli was on her way to court to carry out an eviction when the message appeared on her phone: a tenant saying goodbye, and that he was ending his life. 'I quickly pulled over and called the police. I called triple zero and told them what had happened,' Ms Giumelli said. 'Within two minutes I got a text saying they were dispatching immediately. 'About 15 to 20 minutes later, I got another message to say that the tenant was in the middle of an attempt, and the police and ambulance got there in time.' The man survived. But Ms Giumelli said the situation could have ended in tragedy, and that property managers are being left to face similar high-risk situations alone. 'I wanted to talk about the reality of the current climate, of what we're living in,' she said. 'This is the reality for normal, hardworking Australians that have been paying their taxes and doing all the right things and lately, they are not receiving any support.' Ms Giumelli said property professionals had become 'frontline but invisible', regularly encountering suicide, domestic violence, homelessness and family breakdown, but without any formal trauma training or recognition. Prominent buyers advocate Cate Bakos said Ms Giumelli's experience was sadly common with stress and burnout pushing many experienced property managers out of the industry. 'For many isolated or vulnerable tenants, the property manager may be their most consistent point of human contact,' she said. 'When something goes wrong, the emotional weight placed on the manager is immense. 'I've seen so many incredible professionals walk away from the industry altogether because of the relentless pressure they face.' Phoenix Australia chief executive and trauma expert Nicole Sadler said property managers were often unprepared for the types of emotional exposure they faced. 'Anyone working in a role where they're exposed to trauma – even second-hand – can experience a range of psychological impacts,' Prof Sadler said. 'For property managers, this can be especially tough because they're trying to help someone through a crisis while also managing the business end, like rent arrears or damage to a property.' Professor Sadler said even basic trauma-informed training could help real estate professionals protect their own wellbeing and respond more safely to tenants in distress. 'It's about recognising stress signs, engaging with empathy, and knowing when to step back or refer.' Beyond Blue clinical spokesman Dr Luke Martin said renters and housing workers were facing mounting psychological pressure. 'Safe, secure housing is fundamental for supporting our mental health,' Dr Martin said. 'Beyond Blue's research has shown that housing affordability is driving considerable distress across the community.' A 2022 Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute study found 38 per cent of private renters said their housing situation negatively affected their mental health, compared to 23 per cent of owner-occupiers. A 2023 Anglicare survey found two-thirds of renters said the housing crisis was impacting their wellbeing. 'Beyond Blue's research has shown that housing affordability is driving considerable distress across the community.' A 2022 Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute study found 38 per cent of private renters said their housing situation negatively affected their mental health, compared to 23 per cent of owner-occupiers. A 2023 Anglicare survey found two-thirds of renters said the housing crisis was impacting their wellbeing.
Medscape
13-06-2025
- Health
- Medscape
Symptom and Allergy Load Drives Food Allergy Distress
For adults, children, and caregivers, more symptoms and multiple food allergies and, for adults and caregivers, adrenaline autoinjector prescriptions were linked to more psychological distress. METHODOLOGY: Researchers conducted a cross-sectional online survey involving 1329 adults (mean age, 38.1 years; 70.2% women) and 1373 caregivers (mean age, 37.6 years; 75.1% women) of children with food allergy to identify factors associated with specific types of food allergy‐related psychological distress. Participants reported types of food allergy-related distress experienced by themselves or their children. TAKEAWAY: Female adults (mean difference, -3.74) and female caregivers (mean difference, -5.82; P < .001 for both) were more likely to experience multiple types of food allergy-related psychological distress than male adults. < .001 for both) were more likely to experience multiple types of food allergy-related psychological distress than male adults. In children and caregivers, the likelihood of reporting more types of distress increased with allergy duration, whereas in adults and caregivers, it rose with prescriptions of adrenaline autoinjectors ( P < .001 for all). < .001 for all). Adults, children, and caregivers with a higher number of food allergies, more comorbid conditions, or more symptoms of food allergy were more likely to experience psychological distress ( P < .001 for all). < .001 for all). Adults and caregivers from Australia, Brazil, Canada, and the UK consistently reported higher rates of psychological distress than those from European countries or the US. IN PRACTICE: 'Adults may find it beneficial to learn how to recognize the symptoms of anaphylaxis, enabling them to more accurately assess their level of risk. In families with an allergic child, caregivers require more psychological support when the child is younger,' the authors wrote. SOURCE: R.C. Knibb, PhD, with Aston University, Birmingham, England, was the corresponding author of the study, which was published online in Clinical and Translational Allergy. LIMITATIONS: This study lacked a validated distress scale, and the perceived severity of food allergy was not assessed. Participants were mostly White, women, and university-educated, limiting the generalizability of the findings. Additionally, the online recruitment method and requirement for internet access likely introduced selection bias. DISCLOSURES: This study was funded by Novartis, Aimmune Therapeutics, the National Peanut Board, and the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. Some authors reported receiving research funding, grants, personal fees, or honoraria from and having other ties with various organizations and pharmaceutical companies, including some of the funding sources.
The Guardian
26-05-2025
- Politics
- The Guardian
Syrian refugee, 19, praised after pinning down assailant in Hamburg knife attack
A 19-year-old Syrian refugee in Germany has been hailed as a hero after he pinned down an assailant at Hamburg's main railway station, helping to halt an attack in which 18 people were injured. Police on Friday said a 39-year-old German woman had been arrested at the scene of the attack and that she was believed to be in a state of psychological distress. The 18 people injured were later reported to all be in stable condition, while the woman was placed in psychiatric care. As the city reeled from the incident, the spotlight landed on Muhammad Al Muhammad, who had been heading to his home in Buchholz, some 25km from Hamburg, after visiting a friend in the city. He was waiting on the platform for his train when he spotted a woman wielding a knife. He watched as people began running away from the woman. 'I decided to run in the other direction and stop the woman,' he told the German news magazine Der Spiegel. As he made his way, he saw another man, who he described as Chechen, kick the woman in the knee, leading her to fall to the ground. 'I held her [down] and pressed her hands against her rucksack so she couldn't get up,' he said. 'The woman didn't scream, she didn't resist.' Police arrived a few moments later. As they pointed their weapons towards them, Muhammad moved away from the woman slowly, his hands raised in the air. Der Spiegel, which said it had verified Muhammad's identity, noted that the actions of the two men had probably prevented more people from being injured. News of their actions soon began to make waves across Germany, with some contrasting it to the sustained efforts by the far-right, anti-immigrant party Alternative für Deutschland, to link migration to crime, even as a recent study by the Munich-based Ifo Institute found there was 'no correlation' between migration and higher crime rates. Many in German media have seemingly also echoed this association; a 2023 analysis found that both print and television media reported five times more on violent crimes when the suspect was a foreigner in Germany, the broadcaster Deutsche Welle recently noted. Against this backdrop, it was crucial to share the story of Muhammad, who is originally from near Aleppo and arrived in Germany as a refugee in 2022, the journalist and political commentator Gilda Sahebi wrote in Germany's Die Tageszeitung newspaper. 'One is tempted to say: 'See? An Arab – his name is Muhammad, no less – is a hero!'' Sahebi wrote. 'The political and public debate is now so dripping with racist toxicity, spread by a far-right party and its influencers in media and social media, but also by democratic political and media actors, that it is necessary to tell the story of Muhammad Al Muhammad.' Muhammad said that, following the attack, he had been questioned by police before eventually making his way home. 'The police thanked me and bought me a cappuccino,' he said. 'That made me very happy.'
