Someone please help me - suicidal due to debt

sourcrates

I wouldn't worry too much about them sending round doorstep collection agents, there use is not as widespread as it once was, simply because it is not a cost effective way of collecting unpaid debts.

In most cases, it just remains a threat, part of an organised process of letters and calls collection dept`s use to persuade you to pay what you owe.

You debt is not massive, and the reaction from your folks may not be as bad as you expect, either way, just deal with the creditor in writing only, best all round, try and pay them back as soon as you can, and put this unfortunate episode behind you.

AnnieG

Hi, just a thought - if you are really anxious about telling your parents, you could write them a letter. It probably feels a bit strange but it might help you to explain the situation without getting upset and they can re-read it after their initial reaction.

Willing2Learn

Hi there. You need to address your debts asap to relieve the mental pressure you are feeling. Your accounts can all be frozen or put on hold, while you seek free professional debt counselling advice and support from an agency such as StepChange. I see you have already made the first step with this, and it is important for your mental health that you persevere with StepChange.

I am going to assume that you are under a CPA with your local Community Mental Health Team. They should also have a support worker to help you maintain contact with StepChange, to ensure you regain control of your finances.

While I am on the mental health subject. I wanted to remind you that you will have been given a Crisis Card with the NHS out-of-hours phone service for when your CMHT is closed. Don't be afraid to phone them. I have phoned them on evenings or nights when I have not been well, and it is helpful to have someone with whom you can talk. If you are feeling really desperate, with full-on suicidal thoughts, then I recommend you dial 999 and ask for an ambulance to take you to hospital for an urgent re-assessment or re-admission.

You are not alone with your difficulties. It may not seem that way though and the fear and stress may feel overpowering. But I promise you that there many people with similar struggles to yourself, who have managed to come out the other side...Sorting this out is all about baby steps...and StepChange offer you the opportunity to take the first steps toward addressing your financial struggles.

Edit: I just wanted to add something about the way you are feeling. Your creditors do not have the right to intimidate you on the phone. They don't have the right to turn up at your parents house. They are attempting to bully you, to harass you. I recommend using the letter template linked below, so that you can stop them acting this way:
https://www.nationaldebtline.org/EW/sampleletters/Pages/Creditor-harassment-warning-%28sole-name%29.aspx

The National Debtline have a full article on harassment. A guide of what your creditors can do, and cannot do. The link is below:
https://www.nationaldebtline.org/EW/factsheets/Pages/harassment-by-creditors/debt-collection.aspx

[Deleted User]

Just ignore the woman. She said goodbye and nothing more because she is trained and has to disconnect on you, often to ensure you get a survey line/tick box and to her she is possibly quality audited with no mercy shown to her if she was to side with you on a live recorded line and probably very poor product training so much so that every call she picks up she dreads. It is totally horrible working in financial services doing 4 roles in one especially dealing with negative reviews and hate pages when you are getting picked up for missing out or getting a word wrong when you are the lowest rank - She also has bills to pay and would get hit over the head for no job or having to many jobs in a year, let alone growing anxious as to what the next caller will be like, so no doubt isn't any better then you.

Your parents won't be angry - there is worser things that can happen in a moment that are never recoverable or changeable.

Teamocil

You are ill and it is clouding your view on this. While you're finding it difficult to keep up with payments, you do not owe a large amount of money in the grand scheme of things. There will be lots of ways out of this - it's just about the finding the one that works best for you.

mb73

@lanabanana96, you've had some excellent advice here, but I wanted to add something about your dog. There are charities who will help with vet bills, and in some areas, there are vet services that are provided to people in receipt of certain benefits for free. In the past, when I've needed it, I've had help towards paying for an emergency operation for my cat.



There is more info here: https://www.pethealthinfo.org.uk/my-pet-is-sick-and-i-cannot-afford-a-vet-what-should-i-do

royalecraig

Make them a reasonable offer, based on your income and circumstances,
eg, £5 per month,or week.

It must be reasonable offer, one which you can reasonably afford.
Then their best option is to accept because If they reject it, and it goes to court,
then a court may rule that you have made a reasonable offer of repayment.
, they run the risk of losing
and incurring costs which may well be several hundred £.
If you agree a repayment, it must be something you can reasonably afford and keep up the payments.

Relax, they can't take what you don't have and are almost certainly bound to accept a reasonable offer to settle the debt.

Fireflyaway

Creditors will use all sorts of scare tactics to try and make you pay. It's not a nice feeling but debt really can be overcome and there is help out there. Money troubles are not the end of the world. Most if not all of us here have made silly money mistakes and been irresponsible, disorganised or greedy. I know I certainly have !
Well done on facing your fears. This episode will pass and you can move forward.