The Wellness Wheel is a widely recognized model that illustrates how different areas of life contribute to overall well-being. It encourages a holistic view of health, emphasizing balance across multiple dimensions rather than focusing on just one aspect. There are eight core elements of the modern Wellness Wheel: physical, emotional, intellectual, spiritual, social, environmental, financial and occupational wellness. Each month, we will explore a different element and its importance.
When community members meet with a social worker at a local support agency, they carry more than just an overdue bill. They carry the weight of depression, restless nights and the constant worry about their family’s living situation. What many didn’t know is that improving their financial wellness could be the first step toward mental healing.
Financial struggles are more than numbers in a banking app — they’re one of the most common triggers of anxiety and depression. If you’ve ever worried about paying rent, putting food on the table or finding work, you know how those worries can make some feel stuck. Survival mode leaves little room for recovery.
Financial stress directly impacts mental health. Here are some quick stats:
- 70 percent of Americans said financial uncertainty causes anxiety or depression, with more than 60 percent reporting sleepless nights and 40 percent even experiencing physical illness because of money stress.
- Half of adults cite grocery costs as a major stressor, showing how even basic needs like food security are deeply tied to emotional well-being.
- Among adults aged 35–44, 77 percent reported money as a significant source of stress, highlighting how financial strain peaks during the years of raising families and building careers.
When people are overwhelmed by debt, food insecurity or housing instability, it becomes harder to focus on therapy or self-care. Addressing financial wellness is therefore critical to recovery.
Financial empowerment is not about wealth. It is about stability, dignity and choice. When families achieve financial wellness, the benefits ripple through every aspect of life. Stress is reduced, allowing people to focus on mental health treatment. Independence grows, giving families the chance to break free from cycles of crisis. Herman Corteza, corporate director of community integrated services at Pacific Clinics, adds that, “the Individual Placement Support (IPS) Model of service reminds us that employment is more than a paycheck; it’s a path to recovery. By pairing IPS services with behavioral health and financial literacy, we help individuals not only secure meaningful work but also manage their earnings in ways that create stability, reduce stress and restore dignity. Together, employment and financial empowerment become the foundation for long-term mental health and hope, which could also be a way out of poverty.” As stability at home increases, it creates safer and more nurturing environments where children and adults can thrive. Financial empowerment is a mental health strategy that gives people the space to focus on their well-being.
Recovery also doesn’t happen in isolation. A whole family approach to mental health services recognizes that lasting change means supporting all areas of a person’s life, not just their symptoms. Whole family services go beyond the therapy room by bringing together teams that include family members, peers, community supports and professionals. Care plans are built around cultural values, strengths and needs across home, school and work. These services also address practical barriers such as housing, employment and access to benefits. These issues directly affect emotional individual and family well-being.
Client stories are a reminder of why whole family services matter. A few weeks or mere days of unemployment could deepen their depression. With eviction looming, they feel hopeless. Through a whole family approach, their care team didn’t just focus on therapy — they also helped secure stable housing, enroll in job training and access benefits. With job placement assistance, working clients can secure a safe place to live and the emotional stability to continue treatment.
The good news is that financial wellness doesn’t always start with sweeping changes. Even small steps can make a big difference. Tracking your spending for one week, setting aside just five dollars each week or reaching out to 211 for local housing and food assistance can provide immediate relief. Talking openly with a counselor or case manager about financial stress is another powerful step, because financial struggles are part of mental health, too.
Financial empowerment is not about achieving wealth — it’s about creating security, dignity and peace of mind. When financial wellness and mental health care work together, people can break free from cycles of stress and poverty, finding stability and hope for the future. If you’re feeling weighed down by financial stress, know that you are not alone and that whole family services may be the missing piece in your recovery plan.
