Background
- One in four people has a mental health problem.
- One in four people with a mental health problem is in
debt.
- One in two people in debt have a mental health problem.
- Debt may be a cause and consequence of mental health
problems.
Resources for health and social
care
The resource below provide basic advice for health and social
care workers. It describes how they can practically help
people with debt and mental health problems.
- The Second Edition of 'Final Demand. Debt and
Mental Health' - a significantly revised version of our
popular booklet, released in March 2009. This is for health
and social care workers on addressing the issue, with an additional
emphasis on engaging with money advice services.
Download this booklet.
- 'Mental health and debt: challenges for knowledge, practice and
identity' - Fitch et al published in Journal of Psychiatric and
Mental Health Nursing (2007), 14: 128-133.
- 'Debt and mental health: the role of psychiatrists' - Fitch et
al published in Advances in Psychiatric Treatment (2007), vol. 13,
194–202.
The resources above don't expect workers to
become debt experts, but instead describe the big differences they
can make by knowing and doing small things.
The website is a collaboration between people
with direct experiences of mental health problems, researchers from
the Royal College of Psychiatrists and Rethink, and collaborating
money advice, health and social care organisations.
Advisory work
Chris Fitch and Rob Chaplin provide
guidance to the National Working Party on Debt and Mental
Health. This is a group comprised of creditor agencies,
advice agencies, and health organisations. Overseen by the
Money Advice Liaison Group, the National Working Party published
recommendations on best practice in working with people with mental
health and debt problems in November 2007.