Lots of things can affect Mental health, one being FINANCES… it is a huge topic. With the rise of inflation prices are going up in the shops, Interest rate rises, Energy prices for Gas and Electric, Food, Fuel for Vehicles, Clothing, Broadband are just some of the cost of living increases that are impacting our lives.
Then there is the rise in national insurance that will be used to fund social care a service that has been neglected for so long.
I take calls and emails from people who are really struggling financially and the impact on their mental health for me has been a real eye-opener. What concerns me about the situation is that in the past the people on the lowest incomes have been the ones suffering and having to rely on the charity of those a little more well off to help with things like food bank donations and small monthly donations to local charities.
The calls I am getting are from two-parent working families who even with two wages coming into the household are struggling to make ends meet. This cost-of-living crisis is seeing huge coverage in the media like TV and Radio. There is a mental health crisis looming with the worry of day to day living never mind the Covid situation and other aspects of life.
What hit me between the eyes was hearing married Mum (Claire) who classed herself as always having a tiny bit left over each month and who maybe had not been as careful with money and gave the kids what they wanted was now sobbing telling me how heart-breaking it was to have to say no to the kids and them not understanding why and the battle it created. How the rise in Interest rates along with all other costs of living had put them in the same bracket as those who were living on benefits and now also choosing between heating and eating.
Recognising that she felt guilty having to use foodbank as in here words “it’s not for people like me and my husband who work” “We feel like we are taking from people who are worse off than us” yet for two days they had lived off the kid’s leftovers or not eaten at all. “Why is this happening to us how have we slipped from being a working-class family into poverty so quickly” sadly this is becoming more common and if not addressed can really affect your mental health.
I am aware some of you reading this have nothing left to cut back on but there are still things you can do and although the list below is not exhaustive there will be other help available. It may prompt you to act now.
If you are starting to feel the squeeze. Reach out and see what help is available to you. Things like
food banks, local hardship funds via the council, citizen’s advice, local charities, Martin Lewis MSE
for hints and tips on reducing or re-negotiating household costs, British Gas Energy Trust, United
Utilities Trust Fund, Entitled to (for benefits). Social Media (search for hints and tips to cut costs if
possible) Look for Free courses to reskill or upskill.
Be productive if you can make changes to lessen costs. Batch Cook, Shop later to grab reduced deals, Turn Thermostat down by 2 Degrees and turn down Radiators that are unused. Swap to a Halogen heater over a conventional Fan heater. Where money is tight spoken to banks or Landlords to see if they can offer any short term help. Be open with your partner friends and family about your situation.
Granted some of these are more longer-term solutions and when you are in the thick of things it can be difficult to navigate a way through. My suggestion would always be to act early and make a flexible plan. Everyone’s circumstances will be different there are no hard and fast rules. 2022 will be a difficult year for many working people. If you do happen to be reading this and you can absorb these rising costs next time you are in the supermarket, be mindful of where the foodbank donation box is and drop in a couple of items. You never know if things change you may be only a few steps from being in that position too.