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Debt and mental health support

It is normal for money worries to impact mental health. Around half of our clients tell us they live with depression, stress, anxiety, or another mental health condition. We can help you find free resources to get the help you need.

Need debt help now? Get started with our free online debt advice tool.

It can be hard to open up and ask for help, but it is the first step to getting back on track. We want to help as many people as possible to get free from debt and the stress it brings.

You can do this. We are with you every step of the way.

We work with experts in dealing with the challenges of daily life. Our free and confidential advice can help you take control.

Quickly find what you need

  1. I am struggling with my mental health because of debt
  2. I have no money and need financial help
  3. Read our guides to dealing with debt and mental health
  4. How do I talk to loved ones about debt and mental health?
  5. Find out how we helped other people
  6. Read guides from specialist organisations

I am struggling with my mental health and I am in debt

Anxiety and depression often go hand in hand with money struggles and debt. It is important to remember that there are ways to manage both debt and mental health. You don’t have to face these things alone.

If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, thinking dark thoughts, or worry you are a danger to yourself or others, call 999 for emergency help.

Our expert advisors can help you deal with your debt, and this may lift some of the pressures on your mental health. We will not judge you or make you do anything you are uncomfortable with doing.

We will ask you if there are any reasons why you may not be able to deal with your debt, such as ill health. If you are happy to share details of your mental health struggles, we can look into ways we can adapt our service for you and bear this in mind when we advise you.

But if you need more expert mental health support, we can help you find organisations better suited to help you.

I have no money and need financial help

Having no money is very stressful, but there are things you can do to help you get by until the next payday.

Use our guides to find the help you need

Our page on urgent money matters can help you to find:

  • Information on crisis loans
  • Foodbanks in your area
  • Support with energy bills
  • Advice on dealing with mortgage and rent arrears
  • Guides on dealing with bailiffs and CCJs

Find out if you are missing out on extra benefits

Check if you are missing out on any government benefits using our benefits calculator.

Read more guides to managing your money.

Get free debt advice

We can offer you free advice on the best way to deal with your debts. We will also help you put together a budget you can live on and try to find ways to make your money go further.

Get started with free online debt advice. You can start at any time and take as much time as you need. You can pause and come back whenever you like. Getting debt advice will not impact your credit score.

Not sure if you need debt advice yet? Answer a few quick questions to find out what help you need.

Read our guides on dealing with debt and mental health

Getting support from your creditors

Have you heard of the debt and mental health evidence form (DMHEF)?

Help your creditors understand any mental health issues you have.

It may mean they more sensitive when contacting you about your debts.

Use our DMHEF guide
Map

Asking for help can be hard.

Are debts causing you stress? Do you feel you never have the time? Whatever the barrier, let’s deal with it together.

Find out more

How do I talk to my loved ones about debt and mental health?

Talking to loved ones can ease the pressures of debt and mental health struggles. We know that isn’t always easy. Our guides can help you open up if you or a loved one is suffering with money worries.



*Mental Health UK helped write these guides.

How StepChange have helped others in crisis

Dealing with debt as well as mental health issues can feel like a lonely experience. You may feel like there is nobody who can help you, and nobody you can talk to. But you are not alone.

There are many people across the UK who have been in similar situations to you and have managed to get control of their situation with our support.

Debts were affecting Sarah's mental health

I thought that could be the end of my marriage. All the shame, stigma, self-loathing and everything had built up so much.

I just thought there's no way he's going to want to stay with me now. The foundation I had with regards to money was, was not good and probably quite unhealthy. I didn't have input from my family to help me learn how to deal with money, it was confusing.

You know, and I would spend ages trying to work out budgets and I'd blow it. And then I'd feel guilty, try and rebudget, and then it would just cycle. It would cycle around. At the time, the mental health was poor, I had chronic anxiety, panic attacks, depression.

It becomes part of the mess that you can't deal with. It's another thing that in your head you're failing at. So when I was diagnosed at 42, which is quite late to be diagnosed with autism, I had to learn then about what this actually means for me. And during that process, I realised that being autistic did have a huge impact on how I manage my money. The first person I told when the debts had really built up was my husband.

The response I got from him was very different to the one I felt I deserved. But that is what shame and stigma does to people. You don't deserve nice things or nice people. That's how it makes you feel. When I first got in touch with StepChange, I was nervous, but I needn't had been because it was just so, it was so easy, actually. I remember an overwhelming sense that I was being listened to and I was being heard and I wasn't being judged. I was going to be able to be debt free at some point in the future. When I got help from StepChange, it felt like I wasn't alone.

They were sharing the load with me, the structure and the discipline of the repayment plan has really helped me sort of like take responsibility for my own finances. If the debt had been magicked away, then I wouldn't have learned how to deal with my finances. Whereas this gives me the responsibility and I'm the on who has to do the work, but StepChange is with me with every step of the way to help me do that.

I would always say to anybody, who's struggling with debt, and it doesn't matter what the reasons are. If you are struggling with debt at any age and any circumstance reach out for help, because help is there.

Talking about debt helped Jamie find a way out

"I hid it from my friends because I didn't want to be judged. I didn't want to seem like that person who didn't know how to handle money. My anxiety levels were through the roof. I was worried that I was going to lose everything."

Hear Jamie's story

Read reviews from the people we helped

We have received thousands of five-star reviews from current and former StepChange clients. These are people who often felt as though there was no way out of their situation and struggled to sleep at night.

Read guides from other specialist organisations

Answer five quick questions to get your free plan with tips on:

  • Dealing with stress and anxiety
  • Improving sleep
  • Boosting your mood
  • Feeling more in control

Get your mind plan

Living with a mental health problem can impact day to day life, making things that seem simple much harder.

Mind have put together a wide range of guides covering:

  • Managing money
  • Food and your mood
  • Combatting loneliness
  • And more

Mind’s tips for everyday living

Download MoneySavingExpert.com's free report on mental health and debt.

You might find yourself reaching for a drink when you feel stressed.

Tempting as it is, alcohol is a depressant, and this can make stress even harder to deal with.

Cutting back can improve your health and also save you money.

Read the guide from DrinkAware.

Debt happens. We deal with it.

We have helped millions of people since 1993.

Find out how.

"Only regret is not contacting them sooner!"

"I suffer severe mental health problems and buried my debts hoping they'd go away. Several people had referred me to StepChange but only recently I decided to get in touch. They empowered me to write to all creditors rather than burying my head in the sand. If you are struggling financially I would recommend anyone to get in touch."

Darren, Feefo Review