The Analysis Editor’s Letter


Debt and mental health – separate issues, but linked


Stephen Kiely Editor, CCRMagazine stephen@ccrmagazine.co.uk


Of all the issues facing the consumer credit, collections, and enforcement


industry,


perhaps none is more emotive, difficult, and contradictory than the interaction of mental ill-health and problem debt. After all, nobody would seek to argue that


the industry should not wish to help customers with mental-health problems, but, at the same time, collections agents are not trained psychologists, so there may be limits to what they can achieve. Equally, it is clear that debt can be a compounding factor of mental ill-health, but then, what role should the industry play in solving problems that might otherwise be the responsibility of society as a whole? So, against this background, it is pleasing


to see that gradual progress is still being made, as, last month, the Credit Services Association (CSA) welcomed efforts to remove the cost to the individual for the completion of the Debt and Mental Health Evidence Form. At a meeting held at Number Ten


Downing Street, CSA president John Ricketts and chief executive Peter Wallwork joined the minister for mental health, Jackie Doyle-Price, and senior executives from the British Medical Association, the Royal College of Psychiatrists, the Money Advice Trust, the Money Advice Liaison Group, UK Finance, the Department of Health, and the Mental Health Policy Unit to discuss the evidence-form initiative, which is being driven by the Money and Mental Health Policy Institute (MMHPI). Mr Ricketts said: “There was general agreement that, if and when


the form is considered necessary, any cost should not be borne by the customer, though there were, of course, different opinions as to how this is best achieved. “It was a positive start to the dialogue, and although there are


opposing views, we totally support the government’s ambition, and the ambition of the minister, to continue to support the most vulnerable in society to ultimately becoming debt free.” Meanwhile, last month, research was published that found mental- health professionals are being forced to deal with patients’ wider


November 2017


and when the form is considered necessary, any cost should not be borne by the customer, though there were, of course, different opinions as to how this is best achieved


There was agreement


that,


general if


problems rather than treating their illness, as ever more of them struggle with issues such as debt and benefits. A report by the MMHPI revealed mental-


health professionals feel they have to tackle these urgent practical issues before they can focus on their patients’ mental health. Such tasks include making calls or writing letters to creditors, filling in benefits paperwork, accompanying service users to advice appointments, and giving practical advice about budgeting and managing debts. The findings come as Citizens Advice


released research showing the number of people turning to them for help who report a mental-health problem has increased by 9% in the past year. Debt is a particular problem and Citizens Advice finds that, of people with mental-health problems, who it supports: l A third need advice on debts, compared with a fifth of all people it helps. l Almost a third are finding it difficult to manage financially, compared with fewer than 12% of the general UK population. l More than two-thirds have needed advice on multiple debts in the same year, compared to 45% of people the charity helps who do not have mental-health problems. These issues are especially evident for


‘priority debt’, such as rent or council tax, which have grave potential consequences for


non-payment.. The MMHPI and Citzens Advice both warned that, in the face of


increased consumer borrowing, the introduction of Universal Credit, and ongoing issues around insecure work, it was more important than ever that people with mental-health problems can get the help they need to tackle the complex challenges life can throw at them. Martin Lewis, founder and chair of the MMHPI, said: “Financial


worries can hugely exacerbate mental-health conditions and vice versa – the two are often intrinsically linked. We are all too aware that the NHS has only limited resources. Specialist professionals spending precious clinical time on practical tasks, like filling in benefits forms or calling energy providers, is a waste of those resources.” Enjoy the magazine!


www.CCRMagazine.co.uk 3


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