Debt & Mental Health

Mental Health

Mental health and money are connected. Mental health problems can make earning and managing your money harder, and debt can trigger or worsen conditions such as anxiety, depression and stress.

Why and how do people get into debt?

There is a common misunderstanding that people find themselves in debt due to living an excessive lifestyle or going ‘wild in the aisles’ with credit cards. The truth is that unemployment and redundancy are the most common triggers for debt problems and can happen to anyone, no matter what their attitude to money may be.

Life changes such as losing your job, mental or physical health problems or separating from your partner can mean that you struggle to pay your household bills. Having to adjust to such a financial change can be difficult.

How can mental health problems affect your finances?

There are many reasons why mental ill-health can make it hard to manage your money. If you’re depressed, you might not have the energy or motivation to keep track of your money. If you’re going through a manic episode, you may make rash or unwise decisions with your spending. If you need time off work or a hospital stay, you may be faced with a sudden reduction in income and difficulty keeping up with your bills.

Some mental health problems (and conditions such as dementia) may make it difficult or impossible for you to make decisions about money. The ability to make decisions is known as mental capacity. Someone else may have to make decisions on your behalf if you don't have mental capacity. 

How can debt affect your mental health?

A study from the Royal College of Psychiatrists around Debt and mental health found that half of all adults with a debt problem also live with mental ill-health. This ranged from a consistent feeling of anxiety and low mood to a diagnosed mental health condition.

Debt can make you feel anxious, especially if you don’t have support from friends or family or from your creditors. Debt can be a considerable burden, made worse by dealing with it alone.

Worrying about debt can affect your sleep. Losing out on a good night’s sleep can not only affect your mood and energy levels, it can also affect your ability to work or have good relationships with friends and family. All of these things can further add to your debt problem. Questions to ask yourself if you think you may have a debt problem:

  • Do I often feel anxious when thinking about how I will manage my repayments?
  • Am I struggling to make, or do I routinely miss the minimum payments towards utility bills, credit cards or rent?
  • Do I ignore letters from creditors?
  • Do I avoid calls from unknown numbers if it’s a creditor calling?
  • Am I unable to set aside money for an unplanned financial emergency such as redundancy, car expenses or emergency repairs?

If you answered ‘yes’ to any of these questions, then you may want to consider getting help.

How do I get help?

If you’re dealing with problem debt, you’re not alone. You don’t have to figure it out by yourself. Speak to a debt advisor for free from an organisation such as StepChangeNational Debtline or Citizens Advice. They won’t judge you and can help you find ways to manage your debts that you might not know about.

MoneyHelper can help you find online, telephone or face-to-face support in your area. Getting advice can help you feel less anxious, stressed, and more in control of your life.

Talk to someone you trust too, whether that’s a friend, relative or someone supporting you with your mental health. Talking can help you feel less hopeless and alone, and they can help you make an appointment with a debt advisor if you need them to.

How can I help myself?

Getting help from a debt advisor is often the best way to start dealing with debt, but you can also do some things for yourself.

  • Find out if you qualify for breathing space, a scheme that freezes any payment demands from your creditors while you get free advice. There are two types: a standard 60-day breathing space or a mental health crisis breathing space. The mental health scheme doesn’t have a time limit. Speak to a debt advisor or read more about it on the Mental Health and Money Advice website.
  • Consider telling your creditors about your mental health. This can be difficult, and you must be sure they will take you seriously. Check their website for debt and mental health policies. If you do decide to speak to them, Mind has tips on what to consider.
  • You could get a debt and mental health evidence form completed by your doctor or other healthcare professional. This form can help make sure your creditors consider your mental health. It means they must adjust their collections process and how they communicate with you.

Mental Health Useful Resources

These five directories list the names, numbers and web addresses (where applicable) of...
At one time or another we can all feel overwhelmed. At times like these, it may be...
The EA currently have 409 staff on our Mental Health First Aider network. The Mental...
Tailored activities to support positive mental health and emotional wellbeing. MensSana,...
MindWise are proud to be the only membership-led mental health organisation in Northern...
It is estimated that the overall prevalence of mental health conditions in Northern...
Free access to eBooks, audiobooks and eMagazines - available to download on your device...
We have a wealth of experience in delivering training and consultancy services to a wide...
WiseTalking is a pilot Talking Therapies service for children and young people who are...
Since 2010 Action Mental Health has been successfully delivering Chronic Pain/Conditions...
Our Talking Therapies Practice offers individuals a range of psychological interventions...
Helping employees become more resilient, by giving them the skills to reframe negative...
CBT involves examining your thoughts, feelings and behaviour patterns, and working out...
Be Mindful is an online course that uses mindfulness techniques like meditation,...
The Mindful Carers Project will empower carers across Northern Ireland to maintain...
Our team of facilitators have extensive knowledge and experience in the field of Mental...
Advanced Diploma in Mental Health and Wellbeing Coaching This virtual training programme...
You must download the Libby app to continue to access the eMagazine and eNewspaper...
Stress doesn’t just make you feel bad – it can also be bad for your health. The good news...
Clinical hypnotherapy is the use of hypnosis for the treatment and alleviation of a...
We’ve gathered useful advice, information and help for young people aged 8-25 and those...
Action Mental Health is one of the ChatPal Project Team Members working to develop and...
This is aimed at the over 55’s and is delivered to groups in community settings. The...
This programme is a six week training programme for groups of adults and focuses on...
This idea is a walk in the park. It really is that simple, post a news item to see how...
First aid as we know it is the help given to an injured person before medical treatment...
Well mind is a workshop which focuses on recognising the triggers of stress and the...
AWARE also offers an online support group service. The groups provide an opportunity to...
The British Red Cross is helping people connect with their local communities, meet new...
This is delivered to expectant mothers & parents of babies under 3 years of age. It...
This is a six-session programme using Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) concepts – the...
AMH New Horizons provides a comprehensive programme of specialist training in: Personal...
Back to Life, Back to Normality is a free 12-week mental health programme delivered by...
Beyond Bricks is Lego® Based Play that uses a 'recovery to discovery' approach to enhance...
A project for men aged 50+ to share skills, socialise and connect with their wider...
The Community Care and Support Service is open to individuals over the age of 18 years...
Belfast Resource Centre offers many opportunities including social and leisure activities...
Anxiety can affect anyone at any time, however, students often experience additional...
Counselling is a form of talking therapy that allows you to speak openly about your...
From books and magazines to local history resources, Libraries NI has a host of fabulous...
Supporting veterans at risk of suicide across Northern Ireland. Exposure to line of duty...
MindWise is delighted to offer employers an opportunity to train their staff as Mental...
Bloom is a UK-wide programme which supports young people’s mental health resilience,...
Libraries NI can provide a free Homecall service to your home if you have significant...
Link & Learns are bite size, topical learning sessions for your employees, delivered...
Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT), developed by Professor Paul Gilbert OBE, is a...
Sourcing and supporting employment opportunities, training and/or voluntary placements...
The OUR Generation project is a Peace IV funded project that provides a unique...
There are a number of health campaigns throughout the year to raise awareness of...
This is delivered to the general adult population, including those affected by depression...
Mindfulness is a form of meditation with its roots in Buddhism. It helps you develop...
Everyone’s mental health and emotional well-being is important and many different issues...
Our support groups offer a safe space for people aged 18+ to share experiences of anxiety...
AMH New Life Counselling provides high quality counselling services and is part of Action...
AMH Works provide specialised mental wellbeing training and consultancy to tackle...
Mood Matters Young People programme is aimed at 14-18 year olds and gives them knowledge...
This includes: Raising awareness of depression and Aware NI services at a wide range of...
AMH EveryBODY aims to promote greater understanding and awareness of eating disorders. We...
Positive Minds for Premature Parents supports families of premature babies to develop and...
This supportive behaviour change programme motivates individuals who are ready to make...
MoodMission helps you learn new and better ways of coping with low moods and anxiety...
The Sorted app is accredited by NHS digital - a mark of its effectiveness, safety and...
Support to resist self-harm
MindShift CBT is a free self-help anxiety relief app, that helps you reduce worry, stress...
It’s an easy to follow programme known the world over, and perfect for those new to...
Boost your happiness and create a kinder world while doing it with the Action for...
Trusted information for people who self-harm or feel suicidal Concerned about self-harm?...
Active 10 is a free and easy to use walking app that tracks your walking and shows you...
SuperBetter is a tool created by game designers to help you build resilience and get...
What is Calm: Sleep & Meditation? Calm: Sleep & Meditation is a wellness app...
Fabulous! Is a motivational app that uses challenges to help build physically and...
What's Up? can help you cope with anxiety, stress and feelings of depression. It has...
Wysa is your cute, emotional health buddy and well being tracker. It fits right in your...
Guided meditations
Clear Fear is an app developed for teenage mental health charity Stem4 which uses the...
Guided meditations
Starting a regular habit of meditation can help us to improve concentration, reduce...
Self-Help for Anxiety Management (SAM) offers a range of self-help methods to help you...
Whether you're feeling sad, anxious and stressed, or you're dealing with constant...
Here2Help has been developed by a local initiative from people who want to make the range...
Your New Daily Workout for Life Welcome to your versatile and practical mental fitness...
Learn to manage negative thoughts and look at problems differently
Moodpath: Depression and Anxiety is a written mood journal that uses progress reports and...
No matter your circumstances or position, Find Help NI simplifies the process of finding...
Personalised Exercise Plans
Your Mind Plan offers practical ideas and advice to help you boost and maintain your mental wellbeing. Answer the quick 5-question quiz and the Every Mind Matters widget will give you 5 tailored actions to help you feel more in control, improve your sleep, deal with stress and anxiety, and boost your mood – as well as the option to easily swap any actions and to save the whole plan via email.

Mental Health Helplines & Web Chats

Samaritans
Action Mental Health
Association for Post-Natal Illness Helpline
Aware NI - Support Groups
Aware NI - Online Support Groups
Mind - Side by Side Online Community