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Advice on financial and housing problems can help improve mental health

13 Gorffennaf 2014

Citizens Advice has called for people on Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) to be offered support and advice to address issues such as debt and housing worries which can exacerbate mental health problems, as well as ensuring they have access to talking therapy if they want it. The Government is piloting ways to get more people with mental health problems into work by combining earlier treatment with employment support.

Gillian Guy, Chief Executive of Citizens Advice, said:

Anxiety and depression can be a huge barrier for people seeking employment. More tailored back-to-work support for people with mental health problems is good news but the ESA assessment process still needs improving. The current fifteen minute tick box assessment often fails to get to the root of someone's health condition- be it physical or mental. The DWP must listen to the health and social care professionals who know ESA applicants best, and medical evidence should be provided free of charge.

People should be encouraged to access talking therapy if they want it, but they should also be offered advice and support to address any other issues which could be causing or worsening their mental health problems.  Research by Citizens Advice found nearly 3 in 4 people (74%) said debt worries were having an impact on their mental health, and we know from our bureaux that support to resolve housing and money problems can help some people come off anti-depressants.

Threatening the removal of benefits would risk pushing people further away from work rather than helping them recover, as the stress and anxiety of having less money worsens their mental distress.

Notes to editors:

  1. The Citizens Advice service comprises a network of local bureaux, all of which are independent charities, the Citizens Advice consumer service and national charity Citizens Advice. Together we help people resolve their money, legal and other problems by providing information and advice and by influencing policymakers. For more see the Citizens Advice website.
  2. The advice provided by the Citizens Advice service is free, independent, confidential, and impartial, and available to everyone regardless of race, gender, disability, sexual orientation, religion, age or nationality.
  3. To find your local bureau in England and Wales, visit citizensadvice.org.uk. You can also get advice online at adviceguide.org.uk
  4. You can get consumer advice from the Citizens Advice consumer service on 03454 04 05 06 or 03454 04 05 05 for Welsh language speakers
  5. Citizens Advice Bureaux in England and Wales advised 2.3 million clients on 5.4 million problems from October 2013 to September 2014. For full 2013/2014  service statistics see our quarterly publication Advice trends
  6. Citizens Advice service staff are supported by more than 21,000 trained volunteers, working at over 3,000 service outlets across England and Wales.