Poverty is when an individual is below the poverty line of 50% and 60% of the median income. In Australia over 3 million people including 3 quarters of 1 million children are living in poverty that is 1 in 8 Australians. Researchers have found that many common mental health disorders and other well-beings are linked to economic stress like income and wealth as well as their access to healthcare, healthy food and affordable housing, clean environment and stabled employment. The Australian Institute of health and welfare have stated that around 4 million Australians deal with mental health conditions every year and estimate of 13% of all visits to the GP are for mental reasons. Nearly 1/3 of these visits are for depression. To look at these statistics it is frightening to realise that Australia one of the most economically stable countries have most of its population (3.2 million) live in poverty. By educating younger generations on how to save and help others this statistic will hopefully decrease in the amount of mental illnesses in Australia would also decrease. 
Housing commission is a growing struggle for Australians living in poverty. Poverty effects people’s lives everyday and are being poorly treated by other in the community. These prejudices towards these people is unexplained and only occurs due to the lack of knowledge. When people bring up poverty and housing commission, many jump straight to the conclusion that they are “housos” or “low lives” that are getting money from the government for doing nothing. Most people living in housing commission are hard-workers and often work low income jobs. Thorough research has found that in 2016-17, there were 396,100 households that were living in social housing programs across Australia. This is an alarming fact that addresses the concern for this topic. Housing commission is a major issue in our community and needs to be heard. Due to the prejudice and hate towards people living in poverty and public housing causes them to feel voiceless therefore sharing our thoughts about this concern can help to make a difference. Poverty can be generational, meaning when one is brought up in poverty, they are more likely to live in that class during adulthood. This cycle can be difficult to break resulting in a life of poverty. Many journalists have interviewed and studied the lives of people living in these areas. They have found that these people feel affected by the thoughts about them and their community. Poverty is a major issue and needs to be heard by the public in order to make a difference.
