In a right mess
StuckInside
Posts: 2 Newbie
I am in such a mess which seems to get worse daily. I'll try to keep the background info short:
* I was in a relationship with a man who through abuse took all my savings (£20k +).
* As a result of the stress from this and the death of my dad I had a "breakdown" which made my existing depression worse and also left me with anxiety and panic attacks.
* For reasons that I still can't fathom, I left my job and went to train to be a teacher in a shortage subject which was to give me a bursery out of which I could pay the fees (9000) and living expenses.
* About 6 weeks into the course I had another breakdown which led me to self-harm and suicide attempts.
* I was referred to mental health services who now oversee my treatment. The university decided that the best course of action would be to leave the course and rejoin the following year (Sept 2018). They charged me fees up until the time that I left but unfortunately I had not received enough bursery payment to cover these and living expenses.
* I was having major depression and panic attacks and ignored the letters which ended up with it being referred to a debt collection agency and bailiffs. I had no income and now no savings (my family supported me with small gifts of money and I ran up an overdraft to pay utility bills and buy food) but other debts (Likely Loans, Sainsburys Credit Card) went unpaid.
* I got advice from Step Change regarding the bailiffs (got this debt referred to County Court to ask for a repayment plan) but still had no income so StepChange were unable to help me with a DMP.
* Finally, 2 months ago I went to the job centre and applied for Universal Credit (£295 per month)
* During this time I ignored any letters that I received from all creditors - just getting a letter through the door starts my panic attacks off and I have started to develop a fear of leaving my flat. I have a big pile of unopened letters.
* Yesterday I went back to StepChange and applied for a DMP. It did make me feel a little bit of relief so this morning I thought I would tackle the pile of letters.
* The first one I opened was from Birmingham County Court asking me to appear before them on 12th September - I missed the date and did not attend. This started another anxiety attack. I don't think I have received another letter regarding judgement although it could be in this pile of unopened mail which I now feel too anxious and panicky to tackle.
I am trying very hard not to self-harm but I don't know what to do, particularly about the missed Court date and the consequences of this. Any advice would be very welcome. Thank you.
* I was in a relationship with a man who through abuse took all my savings (£20k +).
* As a result of the stress from this and the death of my dad I had a "breakdown" which made my existing depression worse and also left me with anxiety and panic attacks.
* For reasons that I still can't fathom, I left my job and went to train to be a teacher in a shortage subject which was to give me a bursery out of which I could pay the fees (9000) and living expenses.
* About 6 weeks into the course I had another breakdown which led me to self-harm and suicide attempts.
* I was referred to mental health services who now oversee my treatment. The university decided that the best course of action would be to leave the course and rejoin the following year (Sept 2018). They charged me fees up until the time that I left but unfortunately I had not received enough bursery payment to cover these and living expenses.
* I was having major depression and panic attacks and ignored the letters which ended up with it being referred to a debt collection agency and bailiffs. I had no income and now no savings (my family supported me with small gifts of money and I ran up an overdraft to pay utility bills and buy food) but other debts (Likely Loans, Sainsburys Credit Card) went unpaid.
* I got advice from Step Change regarding the bailiffs (got this debt referred to County Court to ask for a repayment plan) but still had no income so StepChange were unable to help me with a DMP.
* Finally, 2 months ago I went to the job centre and applied for Universal Credit (£295 per month)
* During this time I ignored any letters that I received from all creditors - just getting a letter through the door starts my panic attacks off and I have started to develop a fear of leaving my flat. I have a big pile of unopened letters.
* Yesterday I went back to StepChange and applied for a DMP. It did make me feel a little bit of relief so this morning I thought I would tackle the pile of letters.
* The first one I opened was from Birmingham County Court asking me to appear before them on 12th September - I missed the date and did not attend. This started another anxiety attack. I don't think I have received another letter regarding judgement although it could be in this pile of unopened mail which I now feel too anxious and panicky to tackle.
I am trying very hard not to self-harm but I don't know what to do, particularly about the missed Court date and the consequences of this. Any advice would be very welcome. Thank you.
0
Comments
-
Samaritans0
-
Hi, I'm really sorry to read about you having such difficulties managing and coping with the loss of your father and the stresses of life in general.
You have said that you were referred to Mental Health Services and that you are now under their care. Do you know if you under a CPA (Care Programme Approach) where you get allocated a psychiatrist and a social worker?
If you do have a CPA, have you requested additional support with opening up your letters and with making sure you are in receipt of your full entitlement to DWP benefits, and any other relevant benefits and financial support? Are you managing your rent payments and council tax ok? The mental health team may also be able to allocate you a support worker who can accompany you to any court appearances.
Have you been able to get out of your flat at all? Or have you been isolating yourself? Have you been able to stay in touch with your close family, friends and general support network?
If you are at immediate risk of self-harming or suicide then you need to contact the mental health team that are supporting you. One option available is to be admitted to hospital on a voluntary basis to stabilise your mental health. Alternatively, they can arrange for you to have Home Treatment, where the nurses and psychiatrist treat you as an in-patient whilst you remain in the comfort of your own home. There also other additional options available to you.
Re your income of £295/month Universal Credit. Is that all you are receiving? In my experience, someone with the needs you describe, should be receiving more financial support than this.
Now you are working with StepChange (SC) on a DMP, communicating with your creditors will become easier as SC will do the communication for you. You need to be brave and open your letters. Focus on the letters that have an official look to them. Any letters that are related to your finances you can speak to SC about.
I also wanted to briefly touch on the financial abuse you stated you were a victim of. Are you finding it difficult to cope with the emotional fallout from this? Have you approached any specialist agency that can help with psychological symptoms?
I hope I haven't droned on for too long or made you feel any worse. I'm just trying to be supportive. Sending you lots of hugs down the fibre network to you I work within the voluntary sector, supporting vulnerable people to rebuild their lives.
I love my job
0 -
Bankruptcy is a sure way to tackle all debts if you can’t pay them and are on benefits.
All debts wiped and no IPA as on benefits. 12 months time you owe £0 and go back to university. Ask/look for info on bankruptcy it might be a viable option for you if you owe lots of unsecured debt and on benefits.
Just a thought0 -
Hi there and welcome to MSE,
I would also like to say how sorry I was to read your post and how difficult this situation must be for you. Debt can be stressful so it is important to get support for how this affects your health, as well as advice about the financial side of things.
You mentioned, that you spoke to Step Change about the bailiffs and trying to do a payment plan through the court. If you applied to vary the CCJ, then it is possible that is what the hearing was for on the 12th. As you didn't attend it is unlikely the application was successful, but don't worry, because you can apply again. It is difficult to say for certain if this is what the hearing was for, are there any more details on the letter from the court?
I agree that you need more support in opening your letters, but generally speaking, if your debts are over £20k and you have no assets, and because of the stress the debts cause, I also think bankruptcy could be a suitable solution. Step Change, or any of the free debt charities can cover this with you so that you understand the implications. Take care,
Laura
@natdebtlineWe work as money advisers for National Debtline and have specific permission from MSE to post to try to help those in debt. Read more information on National Debtline in MSE's Debt Problems: What to do and where to get help guide. If you find you're struggling with debt and need further help try our online advice tool My Money Steps0
This discussion has been closed.
Categories
- All Categories
- 343.1K Banking & Borrowing
- 250.1K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
- 449.7K Spending & Discounts
- 235.2K Work, Benefits & Business
- 607.8K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
- 173K Life & Family
- 247.8K Travel & Transport
- 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
- 15.9K Discuss & Feedback
- 15.1K Coronavirus Support Boards