There are many signs to look out for when you suspect that your debt problem is causing you stress. You're likely to be suffering from debt or money worries if: Thinking about debt makes you feel sad, sick or overwhelmed You struggle to sleep or eat properly due to worrying about debt You feel withdrawn from friends, family and loved ones due to worrying over debt You find it difficult to concentrate on work or other responsibilities You're already dealing with depression, anxiety or other mental illnesses In addition to this, you may also be feeling stressed due to the coronavirus crisis. For example, you may have: Been furloughed or had your hours reduced at work Had to stop working due to illness Had to take time off to care for a loved one Been made redundant These sudden changes to your life can cause a lot of worry that you might not have been dealing with previously. If this is the case, then don't be afraid to seek out the support you need. Thousands of people are struggling, for many different reasons. You're not alone, and there is a way forward.
Do you have a family member or friend you can talk to in confidence? You might feel uneasy about talking to your loved ones about debt. However, talking to someone you trust can help you feel less alone. Not everyone has a person in their life that they feel they can confide in. Fortunately, there are several organisations that can provide the support you need. The NHS has put together a list of various organisations that can provide anonymous emotional support over the telephone, email, and in some cases, webchat. You can also find lots of helpful resources on NHS Every Mind Matters.
We're here to support you. By getting free and confidential advice, you can take control of your situation. Our advisors help thousands of people a year. They'll do all they can to support and reassure you. If you've never spoken to us before, you might wonder what we can do to help you. That’s why we’ve put together a section on our website where you can find out why you should trust us with your debt problem. If you're already on a debt solution with us, you may still worry about debt and money from time to time. If this happens, please get in touch. We'll do all we can to put your mind at rest or help you deal with the problem.
If debt stress is affecting your ability to pay your bills or debts, it's important to let your creditors know. Many creditors are working hard to support their customers through the coronavirus crisis. If you're struggling to pay certain bills, find out if you can get help from your creditors. If you need support with your mental health, then it's really important to make them aware. They want to help you deal with your money worries, not make them worse. you can send your creditors a debt and mental health evidence form (DMHEF). This gives your creditors permission to receive information from your doctor so they can better understand what you're going through. In order to send a DMHEF to your creditors, you'll need to chat to a health or care professional first. They'll need to authorise the form, and due to the coronavirus crisis there may be a delay with this.
Talking about debt can be daunting. It's hard to know where to start or what your options are. However, you can take a small step right now. Sign up to our 7 Days, 7 Ways email programme. It'll help you take control of your financial situation by: Making it easier put together a budget Showing you how to sort your priority bills from non-priority bills Giving you helpful tips to save and make more money You can also sign up to our MoneyAware newsletter. We'll send you our best moneysaving and moneymaking tips every month.
Did you know we have a Facebook community? Our followers are people just like you who are bravely facing their money worries every day. If you ever need to talk to someone who 'gets it', then please drop by. MoneySavingExpert also has a thriving online community. There, members can talk anonymously about their worries, and share tips on how to turn their finances around.