When times are tough, reach out for both financial and mental health support from these services and information hubs
With the recent news that a rise in energy bills is on the horizon – combined with growing interest rates and an increase to national insurance – many people in the UK are worried about how the rising cost of living will affect them.
Money and mental health are tightly linked. Financial problems can take over our lives, creeping into our everyday thoughts and causing a huge degree of stress, anxiety, and depression. We can feel uprooted by unexpected costs, and it’s easy to let worries spiral into something much larger.
If this sounds familiar, you don’t have to face it alone. Here, we’re sharing both financial and mental health support services, which are there for you to guide you through decisions and also to be a listening ear when you need it most.
Independent advice: Citizens Advice
Citizens Advice is an independent organisation that specialises in confidential information and advice to help people with legal, debt, consumer, housing and other problems. If you’re not sure about something and need some help figuring it out, or you are struggling with debt, you can contact them online, or by phone:
Adviceline (England): 0800 144 8848
Advicelink (Wales): 0800 702 2020
Relay UK (if you can’t hear or speak on the phone, you can type what you want to say): 18001 then 0800 144 8884
Financial wellbeing support: The MoneyHelper Service
Run by the NHS (and formally known as Money Advice Service or Money and Pensions Service), the MoneyHelper Service is dedicated to offering financial wellbeing support to people in the UK. If money problems are affecting your wellbeing, reach out:
Wesbite: england.nhs.uk
Call: 0800 448 0826
Text via WhatsApp: +44 7701 342 744
Webchat: webchat.moneyadviceservice.org.uk
Money and legal advice for seniors: Age UK
For senior citizens experiencing difficulties with finances, Age UK has dedicated support available, with a range of advice on their website. They can also advise on home heating, and general wellbeing support.
Website: ageuk.org.uk
Call: 0800 678 1602
Advice for debt: National Debtline
For information specifically on debt and how to deal with it, the National Debtline covers all you need to know. Read advice pieces, or reach out for support:
Website: nationaldebtline.org
Live chat: nationaldebtline.org/contact-us
Call: 0808 808 4000
Further reading
How to manage money through periods of bad mental health
10 steps to coping with redundancy
How to talk about money with your partner
Learn about financial coaching
Six ways to decrease financial worries
How to take care of your financial wellbeing
Help finding grants and support: Turn2Us
Turn2us is a national charity providing practical help to people who are struggling financially. Whatever your situation, the charity is able to signpost support, grants, and helpful calculators – and also offers a search portal to find local advisors in your area.
Website: turn2us.org.uk
Support for anxiety: Anxiety UK
If financial worries are causing anxiety that is impacting your everyday life, reach out for help. Anxiety UK is a charity working to support those living with anxiety by offering information, support, and understanding.
Website: anxietyuk.org.uk
Call: 03444 775 774
Text: 07537 416 905
Mental health support: Mind
For those who are experiencing mental health problems, Mind offers a huge range of information pages, as well as a confidential support line and legal line.
Infoline: 0300 123 3393
Legal line: 0300 466 6463
Website: mind.org.uk
Debt support: StepChange
Offering debt advice, management plans, free advice and support for finance-related mental health concerns, and so much more, the debt experts at charity StepChange are on-hand to support anyone who needs help to find long-term financial solutions.
Website: stepchange.org
Webchat: stepchange.org/contact-us
Call: 0800 138 1111
Learn more about money: Money Saving Expert
Founded by Martin Lewis, if you’re looking to learn more about money and the latest financial news, and find guidance and recommendations, Money Saving Expert covers all areas of money management and breaks difficult topics down into easily digestible articles.
Website: moneysavingexpert.com
If you are in crisis and are concerned for your own safety, call 999, or go to A&E.
You can also call Samaritans on 116 123 or email them on jo@samaritans.org
