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Debt and mental health

Money worries and mental health often feed each other. You have rights that can take the pressure off — and you never have to explain more than you are comfortable with.

Applies to: England & Wales

Written by The My Debt Cleared editorial teamLast reviewed 18 October 2026Next review 18 April 2027Jurisdiction England & WalesEditorial policy
If your mental health makes it harder to deal with debt, you can tell your creditors and ask them to adjust how they treat you — contact in writing only, more time, or speaking to someone you trust. FCA rules require lenders and collectors to treat customers in vulnerable circumstances fairly. A free debt adviser can use the Debt and Mental Health Evidence Form to get information from a health professional, and if you are receiving crisis care you can get a Mental Health Crisis Breathing Space, which pauses most interest and enforcement for as long as the crisis treatment lasts, plus 30 days.

What to do now

  1. Use the extra support letter to ask creditors for adjustments.
  2. Ask for contact in writing if calls are hard.
  3. Talk to a free debt adviser about the evidence form and Breathing Space.

Telling creditors

You do not have to give a diagnosis. You can describe the effect — for example, that phone calls are very difficult for you, or that you need extra time to read and reply. Ask the creditor to record it and confirm what it will do differently.

The Debt and Mental Health Evidence Form

The form lets a health or social care professional give creditors information in a standard way they recognise. It is usually requested through a debt adviser. In England, GPs should not charge for completing it.

Mental Health Crisis Breathing Space

If you are receiving mental health crisis treatment, an approved mental health professional can confirm it and a debt adviser can start a Mental Health Crisis Breathing Space. It pauses most interest, charges and enforcement for the whole of your crisis treatment, plus 30 days, with no 60-day limit. Breathing Space explained.

Support

Mind, Rethink Mental Illness and the Money and Mental Health Policy Institute have practical guides on debt and mental health. Free debt advisers are used to helping people who find this hard.

If you are struggling to cope, you can talk to Samaritans free, any time, on 116 123. If you are in immediate danger, call 999.

You can get free, impartial debt advice

You never have to pay for debt advice. MoneyHelper (government-backed), StepChange, National Debtline and Citizens Advice all give free, confidential advice with no obligation.

Common questions

Do I have to tell my creditors about my mental health?

No, it is your choice. But telling them can help, because FCA rules require firms to treat customers in vulnerable circumstances fairly and to consider adjustments such as more time or written contact.

What is the Debt and Mental Health Evidence Form?

A standard form a health or social care professional completes to give creditors information about how your mental health affects your ability to manage debt. It is usually requested through a debt adviser.

What is Mental Health Crisis Breathing Space?

A version of Breathing Space for people receiving mental health crisis treatment. It pauses most interest and enforcement for as long as the crisis treatment lasts, plus 30 days.

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