2nd November 2016
Caroline Siarkiewicz, Head of Debt Advice for the Money Advice Service comments on Money and Mental Health Policy Institute’s The Missing Link report:
“This report demonstrates why a holistic approach to resolving health and debt problems together is vital. Over half of people who use our debt advice services have a diagnosed mental health issue – a figure that has been consistent over a number of years, which reinforces earlier research from the Royal College of Psychiatrists and Mind. The report is right to highlight that mental health issues can make the impact of debt much greater; 39% of our clients with mental health issues have received a court summons and 18% have had a phone service cut off. There are important opportunities for organisations delivering the Government’s Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) programme to talk to people about their money and direct them to free debt advice that can really make a difference to their health and wellbeing. Free debt advice can be found across the UK using the Debt Advice Locator Tool.”