MSE News: 44% with mental health problems have crisis debts

Former_MSE_Helen

This is the discussion thread for the following MSE News Story:

"People suffering with mental health problems are five times as likely to suffer severe financial woe as everyone else ..."

Read the full story:
44% with mental health problems have crisis debts

kurgon

I think your stats are baised. It is a very small sample size and the term of mental health illness is very subjective. Quite often debts can cause mental health issues and once debt problems are eased, thus the mental health issues are also eased. Working as a mental health nurse, while we do encounter debt issues they are not at this level.

SurfBowlSC

The important question is whether or not those mental health problems were brought on as a result of severe debt.
Look at how many people commit suicide or who have nervous breakdowns because their debts spiral out of control.

I would say more people end up with mental health issues as a result of their debt, than end up with debt because of mental health issues.

Byatt

kurgon wrote: »

I think your stats are baised. It is a very small sample size and the term of mental health illness is very subjective. Quite often debts can cause mental health issues and once debt problems are eased, thus the mental health issues are also eased. Working as a mental health nurse, while we do encounter debt issues they are not at this level.

It is a Catch22 situation in some cases, but I have to say, I have been under the mental health team for some years, and for years previous to my current situation have had group counselling and individual counselling, but at no stage did I ever admit the state of my finances, other than I spent when I was down. So I'm interested how as a mental health nurse, you would know your client's (is that the PC word, or users?) financial situation?

kurgon

Byatt wrote: »

It is a Catch22 situation in some cases, but I have to say, I have been under the mental health team for some years, and for years previous to my current situation have had group counselling and individual counselling, but at no stage did I ever admit the state of my finances, other than I spent when I was down. So I'm interested how as a mental health nurse, you would know your client's (is that the PC word, or users?) financial situation?

Because we talk to them all the time, and address any issues that arise. I am not saying it doesn't exist I just think the numbers are not reflective of what is actually happeing. Maybe the focus would be better on the chicken/egg issue that debt is a cause of mental health issues and that this should have a bigger priority?

RAS

kurgon wrote: »

. It is a very small sample size and the term of mental health illness is very subjective.

Pardon?? I graduated in the subject and it is a very large sample ssize. A small sample is 25, and most national survey use around 3000 as a representative sample. If you studied evidence-based practice, you should know that.

And it is asking people who think they have a mental health problems, not only those who are sufficiently ill to merit referral to a mental health nurses.

The problem may be with an unrepresentative sample because people who regard the subject matter are more likely to complete the questionnaire, but hey ho, a LOT of published surveys have the same problem.

kurgon wrote: »

.Quite often debts can cause mental health issues and once debt problems are eased, thus the mental health issues are also eased.

Agreed, which may be why is is a very bad idea to allow creditors to harass and lie to debtors?

And quite often we encounter people here who feel depressed, so do not keep on top of their health, their lives, their bills and then everything spirals out of control when the bailiffs arrive, the bank off-sets their debt and and .. it rapidly goes down the tubes.

They are still not going to meet the criteria for referral to you though.

kurgon wrote: »

.Working as a mental health nurse, while we do encounter debt issues they are not at this level.

You will be working with a very carefully defined subset of the population.

bargainbetty

It is worth noting that some mental health problems do generate financial problems.... bi-polar can produce surges of manically high feelings, that can lead to spending sprees, manic lows can lead to periods of seclusion, binge eating and drinking etc all of which cost money. Which, if you are on DLA these days, isn't readily available.

People with rapidly cycling mood disorders can be too stressed by dealing with finances, people with depression simply can't do it at all, and other conditions can leave people totally unprepared for daily life, meaning jobs are hard to hold down or come by at all.

I think it is a perfectly reasonable statistic. And before anyone asks, I have been the Patient Advocate of a chap with mental health problems for a couple of years. I have seen what it can do to him, and it's cost him dearly over the years.

ILW

Surely, anybody that runs up a ton of debt which they have no way of repaying is by definition not the full shilling.

i_dread_the_postman

LOOKING FOR HELP PLS!!
only posted once before, thought i dread the postman apt as OH suffering mental health probs and his debt slowly crushing me.
Hav suffered depression myself but only debt is my mortgage.
OH walked out 3/4 yrs ago, had put lot pressure on me when we were getting married to buy my Council flat as wd get big discount as long time council tenant. At time my work was sporadic and didnt pay well (childrens nanny) but OH said he wd ALWAYS pay mortgage although in my name as I was leaseholder. Fast forward seeing each other once wk and texting daily but every time he goes down dont hear from him for weeks on end. continual worry as hes diabetic and cd b in coma. Hes living in rented flat but some of his post was still coming to my address "his mantra is always when I get round to it". Opened post when didnt hear from him and OMG not paying min every card (lots). Got joint account with Barclays closed May 2010 after lots of hassle with them. He was paying mortgage (£130 a month) till Nov. 2010 when his payments started to bounce.
Hav now taken it over altho on IB and DLA only. Hav little savings so cant get IS but savings rapidly going down. Was continually harassed by T Mobile looking for him and hid under duvet for four days so own mental health fragile. Then Capquest started phoning, think T Mobile hav sold his debt on to him. Hav just posted Notice of Disassociation with him on my Experian account and in midst of doing same with Equifax and Call Credit. So hard to get debt advice, CAB just told me to get legal advice. Now am v v worried as spoke to OH's son by 1st marriage and he said his dad had no money left (he had sold flat he had before we got together) BUT of course his dad wd be due half my flat. OH paid mortgage for 10 yrs and service charges, I estimate this to be about £15,000. Flat was awarded to me on medical grounds due to family situation. 1 bed, cant downsize and nowhere else to go. Son says OH bad way and prob needs to go into hospital. If son becomes trustee, where do I stand, or if OH's creditors get whiff he has assets, ie. share in my flat, what is going to happen to me.
As I dont qualify yet for IS, ineligible for Legal Aid. I dont know where to start. Wd b better if we cd sort amicably and was going to write OH neutral letter but have just posted Notice of Disassociation so dont think this gd idea. We now havnt spoken since Oct.(longest time). If I got solicitor and he wrote OH letter, know OH wd just ignore and each time solicitor writes I get charged.
Hav heard some solicitors will give 30 mins free advice but hav heard horror stories of hundreds £/hr.
Where do I go next. Any advice v welcome.:mad:

central

Define Mental Health problems

Do you include stressed, depressed on antidepressants, depressed having CBT or just severe and enduring mental illness?

Please don't infer that debt is due in large to some medical problem!

superbargainhunter

i_dread_the_postman wrote: »

LOOKING FOR HELP PLS!!
only posted once before, thought i dread the postman apt as OH suffering mental health probs and his debt slowly crushing me.
Hav suffered depression myself but only debt is my mortgage.
OH walked out 3/4 yrs ago, had put lot pressure on me when we were getting married to buy my Council flat as wd get big discount as long time council tenant. At time my work was sporadic and didnt pay well (childrens nanny) but OH said he wd ALWAYS pay mortgage although in my name as I was leaseholder. Fast forward seeing each other once wk and texting daily but every time he goes down dont hear from him for weeks on end. continual worry as hes diabetic and cd b in coma. Hes living in rented flat but some of his post was still coming to my address "his mantra is always when I get round to it". Opened post when didnt hear from him and OMG not paying min every card (lots). Got joint account with Barclays closed May 2010 after lots of hassle with them. He was paying mortgage (£130 a month) till Nov. 2010 when his payments started to bounce.
Hav now taken it over altho on IB and DLA only. Hav little savings so cant get IS but savings rapidly going down. Was continually harassed by T Mobile looking for him and hid under duvet for four days so own mental health fragile. Then Capquest started phoning, think T Mobile hav sold his debt on to him. Hav just posted Notice of Disassociation with him on my Experian account and in midst of doing same with Equifax and Call Credit. So hard to get debt advice, CAB just told me to get legal advice. Now am v v worried as spoke to OH's son by 1st marriage and he said his dad had no money left (he had sold flat he had before we got together) BUT of course his dad wd be due half my flat. OH paid mortgage for 10 yrs and service charges, I estimate this to be about £15,000. Flat was awarded to me on medical grounds due to family situation. 1 bed, cant downsize and nowhere else to go. Son says OH bad way and prob needs to go into hospital. If son becomes trustee, where do I stand, or if OH's creditors get whiff he has assets, ie. share in my flat, what is going to happen to me.
As I dont qualify yet for IS, ineligible for Legal Aid. I dont know where to start. Wd b better if we cd sort amicably and was going to write OH neutral letter but have just posted Notice of Disassociation so dont think this gd idea. We now havnt spoken since Oct.(longest time). If I got solicitor and he wrote OH letter, know OH wd just ignore and each time solicitor writes I get charged.
Hav heard some solicitors will give 30 mins free advice but hav heard horror stories of hundreds £/hr.
Where do I go next. Any advice v welcome.:mad:

I would say go back to CAB - you need to bring letters re debts and evidence of your income - depending on your savings you may now be eligible for Income Support - and as you are on Incapacity Benefit - you may be eligible for Support for Mortgage Interest - which would pay the interest only on a mortgage - this is means tested tho.
Basically you need a benefit check - bring letters re council tax too - you may be eligible for council tax benefit.
There is a website - http://www.turn2us.org.uk - which you can use for a benefit check too.
Or you can ring National Debtline or Consumer Credit Counselling service.
Get some free debt advice - and get rid of his creditors! You need help working out which if any of the debts you are liable for - and if you are not liable - they should not be chasing you. If they continue to chase you for his debts - take the evidence to your local Trading Standards - as they are breaking guidelines.
CAB should be able to refer you to a solicitor for free 1/2 hr advice for divorce and property advice - there is also Family Mediation - think first consultation is free -after that you have to pay.
Have a look at some of the debt forums - look top right for search and use the drop down button for forums - lots of advice and support there.
Best of luck.