Martin's Blog entry - Mental Health and Debt

fermi · 12 May 2008 at 11:37PM

I'm not sure how many DFWs read Martin's blog or check out the threads in the MoneySaving And The Site section, but the most recent entry is probably of interest to many people here, even if only in a little way.

Martin wrote:

In a few weeks, we’re funding and launching a major new MoneySavingExpert.com guide to dealing with debt with Mind when you’ve got mental health issues, including info for carers, see my blog (Mental Health and Debt; new guide to come). It’s being written jointly by me and the MSE team, as well as some senior mental health psychiatrists.

The entire blog entry is here: Mental Health and Debt: True Bravery

It includes the account of Martin meeting a very brave lady who spoke at the launch of Mind’s Mindweek.

The previous blog entry mentioned is here: Mental Health and Debt; new guide to come

And there is a discussion thread here: 'Mental Health and Debt: True Bravery' blog discussion

EDIT: You can read Mind's report "In the red: debt and mental health" here:

http://www.mind.org.uk/mindweek/report.htm

The forward to the report is written by a certain Mr Lewis.

fermi

boredofbeingathome · 12 May 2008 at 11:52PM

Thanks for this fermi. One of my best friends suffers from manic depression, and has had similar problems in the past.
I find it unbelievable that when she was in the depths of one of her worst manic episodes, that i was contacted by her in extreme distress, from the hospital ward, saying that one of the DCAS had contacted her on her moblie( she always snuck it in) and was coming into the ward, because he didn't believe her...
Words cannot describe what i had to say to them, and they weren't bothered, water off a ducks back and all that. But they didnt come, and she got out of debt and managed to rebuid her life slowly.
she also sits on panels about mental health issues. I wish more was done about it, especially when i look back on high profile cases last year..re the couple who tried to commit suicide after their daughter spent a fortune on stuff.
I could go on, but heartily applaud this.
BOB xx

fermi · 13 May 2008 at 12:04AM

Fortunately it's not something that has effected me long term, but back when I was having debt problems 'depression' was integrally bound up with it.

I've still not quite worked out how much that was a cause or a symptom, but the two so often go together in my experience and can make an already bad situation intolerable.

If Martins efforts on this site and with Mind only make a small impact on the issue, it will be hugely welcome in my eyes nonetheless.

boredofbeingathome · 13 May 2008 at 12:12AM

A truer word, as they say.
I must admit that i was quite depressed when i found out about OHs debts, and it almost made me walk out after 23 years of marriage. Not just that, i might add, but the constant spiral of debt that he manages to never get out of. I just felt that compounded with the health problems of my youngest daughter and the fact that he never did anything to help himself meant that it was my burden to sort.
I have cried many a night over it and have felt at the end of my tether. Everyone expected me to be the strong one, i think i internalise a lot of stuff and it has affected my health a lot lately. If it hadn't been for this site, I would really have lost it.
I am really for highlighting these issues, goodness knows how far down folk become.

fermi · 13 May 2008 at 12:24AM

Forgot to mention:

You can read Mind's report "In the red: debt and mental health" here:

http://www.mind.org.uk/mindweek/report.htm

The forward to the report is written by a certain Mr Lewis.

fermi · 13 May 2008 at 8:37AM

Small

Broken_hearted · 13 May 2008 at 9:15AM

When my mam started to get ill she started spending loads of money on junk to make herself feel better and useful. Its very sad.

fermi · 13 May 2008 at 10:01AM

Broken_hearted wrote: »

When my mam started to get ill she started spending loads of money on junk to make herself feel better and useful. Its very sad.

Yep. It can be so much more complicated than just "I'm a bit depressed so I'm finding it hard to cope".

All the issues and problems can get tangled up and effect each other on more levels than you would imagine at first. It got complicated enough for me just being depressed.

Ames · 13 May 2008 at 10:12AM

I have bipolar (manic depression) and most of my debts were built up when I was severely depressed, I took out a loan not expecting to have to pay it back because I thought I'd be dead by then.

Treadmill · 13 May 2008 at 10:13AM

I've suffered depression since I was 19 and have periods where I can't even get it together enough to shave or cook food, the last thing I want to face is speaking to people about debt. peoples patience is very limited, at first they are understanding but soon go into "snap out of it" mode, fortunately I have managed to get a grip on my debt but its taken many years.

bubbles0169 · 13 May 2008 at 10:27AM

soo glad to see your here and posting Ames keep it up
if you ever need to spout off but dont know where this is the place!
Treadmill well done
the dfd is a very long road for some but at least we can walk it together x

i had mild post natal depression mixed with other factors that cause it
most of the time i was so detatched that i think thats why i spent so much on cc's
i dont have anything to show for it,
just the bills obviously,
i just bought everyday stuff mindlessly not thinking about it
but because i wasnt really in control i think thats when i just spent and spent not thinking
my motto was buy now worry later
but i didnt listen to myself, didnt take it seriously
as there was other stuff going on
luckily i seem to be ok now
this board helps alot too x

Martin's Blog entry - Mental Health and Debt

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