Tackling money and mental health

Sleepless nights, loss of appetite, feeling lonely and isolated – the effects of money worries can cast a dark shadow over our lives. Worse still: if we’re struggling financially, we feel more anxious, and when we’re anxious, we’re less likely to make sound financial decisions. 

A problem shared

Mental health and money problems are often linked. One problem can feed off the other, creating a vicious cycle of growing financial problems and worsening mental health that is hard to escape.

So, if money worries are taking over your life, how can you take back control?

Talk to someone

The fact that so many of us feel uncomfortable talking about our money worries doesn’t help. Bottling up the shame connected with financial problems will only make mental health issues worse. Sharing your money worries with a trusted family member or friend is a vital first step. You could also go to charities for free help and advice.

If you feel unable to deal with your money worries by yourself, charities such the Money Advice Service offer free support, while StepChange can help you apply for Breathing Space, a government initiative that allows you up to 60 days of respite from debt-related interest, fees and court action, giving you time to get a debt management plan in place.

Benefits

You could also find out if you’re entitled to any benefits that could help plug those financial gaps. Turn2us is a financial support charity that helps people in financial hardship to gain access to welfare benefits, charitable grants and support services. They have an online benefits calculator and plenty of information on benefits and grants.

More help dealing with debt

There’s evidence that getting free debt advice makes a huge difference to getting out of debt. You don’t need to pay for the help either, so avoid any firms that charge a fee. There are several charities and free organisations that will help you work out the next steps.

You can use the Money Advice Service’s tool to find the free debt advice providers and services local to you. You can speak to an adviser face-to-face, over the phone or via webchat.

It’s best to get in touch as early as possible, before the debt has a chance to snowball, but it’s never too late to seek help. Many people who ask for help with debt say they wish they’d done it sooner. Working on a plan can make you feel less stressed or anxious and more in control of your life.

Everyone’s relationship with money is different, and we all have different goals and priorities. The most important thing is to keep going in the right direction - and ask for help if you need it.