Mind Cymru has teamed up with Citizens Advice Cymru to offer support to people who may be struggling with money and their mental health, and to encourage them to seek help.
The two organisations are offering joint advice and guidance throughout January in response to ongoing pressures people in Wales are facing when it comes to managing their finances.
An online campaign has been put in place to help raise awareness of the support available to people in helping them to organise their finances, and around claiming benefits in relation to a mental health problem too.
Throughout the month, social media videos with frontline Citizens Advice advisers will also appear encouraging people to come forward for support as well.
Samantha Fletcher, Debt Adviser at Citizens Advice Merthyr Tydfil, said: “You’d be really surprised at the sense of relief that people feel when once they’ve come into an appointment and sorted out their finances. So, we would really encourage you to take that first step.”
In 2024, Mind’s ‘Big Mental Health Report’ found worries about finances were affecting 44% of people’s mental health in Wales, and also affecting their ability to work. Living standards in Wales were also found not to have improved since 2023, and struggles with money were seen by many as a ‘new normal’.
Citizen’s Advice Cymru’s latest report, ‘Reaching crisis point: the story in Wales’ also shows that the nature of being ‘in crisis’ has changed, and has gone from being an unexpected, short-term event for many people in Wales, to an ongoing struggle of not having enough money to heat homes or feed families.
Mind Cymru and Citizens Advice Cymru are working together until the end of January to encourage anyone who may be struggling with their finances and their mental health, to reach out and get the help they need.
This includes information on where to access support with managing money, claiming benefits, dealing with debt, informing household service providers of a mental health problem, and more.
Simon Hatch, Director of Citizens Advice Cymru said: “Last year, we helped over 123,000 people across Wales with a range of problems, including issues with benefits, debt, crisis support, housing, employment, discrimination, relationships and consumer rights. Often people have more than one issue they need help with and we work with them to find a way forward.
“We know that life worries have an impact on our mental health, which then makes dealing with the ins-and-outs of dealing with bills, accessing support and protecting our rights all the more tougher. Help and support is available and I encourage people to reach out.”
Sue O Leary, Executive Director at Mind Cymru, said: “Not having enough money, or feeling like we don’t have control over our finances, poses a real risk to our mental health. It can lead to feelings of guilt, shame, fatigue and anxiety when it comes to spending and managing our money overall.
“It is also why talking to others about our relationship with money can feel hard, but it’s important to remember that lots of people are experiencing similar feelings and that there are lots of places you can turn to for help.
“This is why we are working with Citizens Advice Cymru to support people in Wales with joined up advice and information which can help them both emotionally and practically speaking when it comes to managing money and their mental health.”
