In the red: poverty, debt and mental health

Mind annual conference 2008
16-17 June 2008, Brunel University

Presentations from the Mind annual conference 2008

• People who have mental health problems are more likely to live in poverty – 1 in 4 people with mental health problems in Britain report debt and arrears (Office for National Statistics, 2002)
• Some mental health problems can cause financial problems eg. during a manic phase, people with bipolar disorder may spend imprudently with credit they cannot repay
• Creditors and debt recovery agencies should be sensitive and proportionate in their response to customers with mental health problems – the majority of people with mental health problems have the skills and capacity to manage their own finances.

The Mind annual conference 2008, backed by Mind's recently published new research, will show undeniable links between mental distress and debt.

This event will gather together delegates with an interest in both mental health and financial issues to explore what can be done in order to address the relationship beween financial problems and mental distress.

Who should attend:

• Mental health professionals
• Those working in the finance sector
• Citizens Advice Bureaux and other advice organisations
• Service users and service user organisations
• Local Mind associations
• Housing workers and associations
• Those with an interest in mental health and its links to poverty and debt

Full programme details

Changes to the conference format:

In response to delegate feedback, there are a few changes to the event this year:

24-hour event: The conference will be taking place over 24 hours, starting and finishing at 5pm. This is to enable as many delegates as possible to get to the conference centre in time for the start and avoid an additional overnight stay.

Residential places available: We are offering the option to stay overnight in the conference complex, or just to attend the second day of the conference. Accommodation will be in single-occupancy rooms on the university campus.

Food and drink included: All meals, tea, coffee etc are included in this year's attendance fee.

Free places: Unwaged mental health service users can apply for a free place at this event. Applicants will be asked to tell us why they feel they should be offered a free place to this event. Use the registration form to contact us for further details.

Exhibition: There will not be an exhibition at this year's conference. However, should you wish to put promotional materials in the delegate packs, please contact the Conference and Training team.

For further information and to be added to our mailing list please contact the Conference and training unit on 0844 448 4450 or by email at conferences@mind.org.uk.