More than half of people with mental health problems worry about money
Figures have been released to mark Mental Health Awareness Week getting underway today
New research shows more than half of people who have struggled with mental health problems in the last three years say thinking about their finances made them anxious.
The figures, from the Money and Pensions Service (MaPS), has been released today to mark the start of Mental Health Awareness Week.
The report shows that even 26% of people without a mental health problem felt anxious when thinking about their financial situation.
Sarah Anstey is a Money Advisor from Citizens Advice West Sussex.
She said: "We can help with income maximisation, checking that you're getting all the benefits that you're entitled to so you've got the most income coming in.
"We can also help with budgeting advice. Is there a way you can reduce your gas and electric usage? Or perhaps you can switch to a different internet provider."
Citizens Advice also have what's known as a 'Breathing Space' project, which Sarah explains.
She continued: "It puts a 60 day hold on your account, so it pauses charges and interest, it stops enforcement action.
"That gives us 60 days to sit down and work out what we're going to do and it does what it says, it gives you that breathing space."