Practical tips on managing your money and improving your mental health.
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Poor mental health can make earning and managing money harder. And worrying about money can make your mental health worse. It can start to feel like a vicious cycle.
Sorting things out might feel like an overwhelming task. And lots of things may be out of your control. But try taking things one step at a time.
The tips on this page are to help get you started.
The coronavirus pandemic is causing financial worries for many people. If you are experiencing money worries, this information may help:
Working out your habits and thought patterns around money is a good place to start. It could help you start to think about things you want to work on.
When you understand more about what's happening in your life, you can think about what might help. Sometimes just being aware of these patterns can help you feel more in control.
For example, these are some common ways money and mental health can affect each other:
We at Mind think the benefits system should work better for people with mental health problems.
"I'm broke. Again. My head starts to spiral."
Organising your money is often the first step to feeling in control.
"When I sat down with my advocate to open bills, it took a lot of the worry away."
"The more I worried about money, the more unwell I got."
Here are some tips that other people have found helpful.
"Spending money became therapy..."
Here are some tips that other people have found helpful.
"I didn't answer the phone and I wouldn't open the post, and debt after debt stacked up."
Sharing your worries with someone you trust can be a relief. But it isn't always easy. Here are some people who might be able to help.
Money can put a strain on relationships for lots of different reasons.
"Being able to tell someone I trust helps. If things are bad, my Ma holds onto my cards."
Mind offers lots of different ways to help you take control of your mental health.
Our pages on how to seek help for a mental health problem have tips on taking the first steps, including talking to your GP about how you're feeling.
"I must have made hundreds of budgets in my life."
It can feel very hard to talk about money problems. And if you've had a bad experience somewhere in the past, you might feel as if there's no point in trying again. But there are lots of place you could turn to. Here are some organisations who can help with money issues.
0800 144 8848 (England Adviceline)
0800 702 2020 (Wales Adviceline)
0800 144 8884 (Relay UK, textphone)
citizensadvice.org.uk
Free, confidential information and advice on your rights, including money, housing, legal and other problems.
capuk.org
Christian charity providing support with debt and unemployment. Searchable list of local services.
gamblersanonymous.org.uk
Support groups for anyone wanting to stop gambling.
0808 8020 133
gamcare.org.uk
Information and support for people wanting to stop gambling, including a helpline and online forum.
mentalhealthandmoneyadvice.org
Online advice service for people experiencing issues with mental health and money. Run by by Mental Health UK and Lloyds banking. Information is available in English and Welsh.
0800 138 7777
moneyadviceservice.org.uk
Provides free and impartial money advice.
moneyforlife.org.uk
Supports young people to develop the knowledge and skills to manage their money.
moneysavingexpert.com
Tips and articles about money, debt, banking and saving.
nationaldebtline.org
Information and advice about debt, including a helpline, online webchat and sample letters for writing to creditors.
cnwl.nhs.uk/cnwl-national-problem-gambling-clinic
Treats problem gamblers living in England and Wales aged 16 and over.
116 123 (freephone)
[email protected]
Chris, Freepost RSRB-KKBY-CYJK
PO Box 90 90
Stirling FK8 2SA
samaritans.org
Samaritans are open 24/7 for anyone who needs to talk. You can visit some Samaritans branches in person. Samaritans also have a Welsh Language Line on 0808 164 0123 (7pm–11pm every day).
0808 800 4444
england.shelter.org.uk
Provides free, confidential advice on housing and homelessness in England.
0345 075 5005
sheltercymru.org.uk
Provides free, confidential advice on housing and homelessness in Wales.
stepchange.org
Provides free advice about money problems, debt and budgeting.
stoploansharks.co.uk
Provides advice and information if you are worried about loan sharks. You can also report a suspected loan shark.
trusselltrust.org
Emergency food and support for people in need. Includes a searchable list of local foodbanks.
turn2us.org.uk
Helps people in financial difficulty to access benefits, grants and support services.
This information was published in July 2020. We will revise it in 2023.
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