Debt and mental health - Mind survey needs your help

chrisfitch

Dear all on the MSE forums,

Debt, poverty and mental health is an issue often aired on the MSE forum boards. Now Mind are turning their attention to this issue, and they need YOUR help. If you have experienced mental health issues/distress/problems in the last two years, and have also encountered debt or financial difficulties, then Mind want to hear from you.

To share your experiences with Mind you can undertake their online survey on the issue, or find out more at: http://www.mind.org.uk/debtpovertymh The survey runs from the 5th of December to the 14th of January. You can also download the survey (and return it by Freepost).

The information from the survey will be used by Mind to develop a campaign in 2008 on issues relating to debt, poverty and people with experience of mental distress.

Mind knows that debt and poverty can have a negative impact on a person’s mental health in terms of anxiety and stress, depression, self-harm and suicidal thoughts, as well as the experience of wider social consequences such as exclusion.

They are also often told by people with mental health problems who are also experiencing problems with debt, that the services and support they often receive in relation to their money management, can be lacking, sub-standard, and sometimes discriminatory.

However, Mind needs your help to take these issues forward in a campaign. Please help Mind by completing the survey yourself, distributing it to friends or relatives, sharing the online survey link with others (http://www.mind.org.uk/debtpovertymh ), or getting involved in the media campaign to support this research.

With thanks and best wishes

Chris Fitch
(on behalf of the Mind research team)

PS this thread has the blessing of Martin and the MSE team - we're extremely grateful for their support with keeping this important issue on the agenda

Insert from Martin

If you can find time to help that'd be great. We're also working with Chris to produce a MSE guide to mental health and debt for those with mental health issues as well as carers and families.

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Lucy1982_2

What a very good idea. Survey all filled in and I hope that the campaign helps someone out there!

chrisfitch

Thanks Lucy - hopefully the word will spread on the forums, including the mental health discussion threads.

Best

Chris

Sea78

Done as well.

Sea xx

Burlesque_Babe

Also filled in. Whilst I'm now debt free, it was an aspect at the time and my state of mind still makes me 'spend' unnecessarily.

chrisfitch

Thanks Keren,

The more people we can hear from who have experienced mental health problems in the last two years, and have also encountered debt or financial difficulties, the more this will help.

With best wishes

Chris

chrisfitch

Just to say, that if anyone is interested in further information about this issue, then there was a relevant article in this Sunday's observer:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/money/2007/dec/09/cash.debt

You can also find resources at:

https://www.mhdebt.info

mrsmortenharket

I have filled in the survey & sent it to them.

Lisa

chrisfitch

Many thanks, that's really appreciated.

chookwoose

I have done the survey too.

saffronflowers

Done - also intersting made me think about how it does affect me specifically - thank you!

SFx