Debt isn’t just a financial problem, it causes relationships to break up, people to lose their homes and families to break down. No matter who you are, it can be hell.
A 2010 debt survey found that 44% of those seeking debt help had been prescribed medication by their GP to help them cope, 77% of those in a couple said debt affected their relationship and 38% had considered or attempted suicide.
If you’re in debt crisis, don’t panic. The best thing to do is book a one-on-one session with a non-profit debt counsellor. Don’t worry, they’re there to help, not judge.
Martin Lewis of moneysavingexpert.com says he has never heard of someone with debts so bad that there wasn’t a path through them. Starting to deal with them will make you feel better and speed up the process. Dealing with your debts may sound like a nightmare, but once you start it’s much easier and less stressful than leaving them to fester. If you have mental health problems and are in debt this 40–page leaflet prepared by moneysavingexpert.com is very helpful.
Free debt counselling agency contacts
Consumer Credit Counselling Service (CCCS): As well as a full debt help service, CCCS provides extra support to vulnerable people (including those with mental health issues), eg, help completing forms or with benefits checks. CCCS says it’s important to let its counsellors know about your condition so you can get additional support. Find out more at cccs.co.uk or telephone at 0800 138 1111.
Citizens Advice Bureau: Free, confidential and impartial debt advice service. Citizens Advice staff get specialist training on how to deal with clients with mental health problems. If you disclose mental health problems early, it will help advisors to help you. Find out more at adviceguide.org.uk or visit your local CAB centre (check centres in the Yellow Pages.
Christians Against Poverty: Debt counselling agency that specialises in helping those who are emotionally struggling too. The religious focus is why they do it, not how they do it. Unlike the other debt counselling agencies, they can come and visit you in your home and have a befriending service to help with feelings of isolation. It has specialist debt counsellors trained to help people with mental health problems. They also run a budgeting course. Find out more at capuk.org or telephone at 0800 328 0006.