Mental Health Crisis Breathing Space
If you are in mental health crisis care, debts can be paused for as long as the treatment lasts. You do not have to deal with the debts yourself while you are unwell.
Applies to: England & Wales
What to do now
- If you are in crisis care, ask your care team whether an AMHP can complete the evidence form.
- A carer, social worker, mental health nurse or care co-ordinator can contact a debt adviser for you.
- Afterwards, use the extra support letter to ask creditors for adjustments.
What counts as crisis treatment
Crisis treatment means either treatment for a mental health condition serious enough to justify detention in hospital or removal to a place of safety, or other crisis, emergency or acute treatment that an AMHP considers is just as serious. You do not have to have been assessed or detained under the Mental Health Act 1983 — care from a crisis or home treatment team can count if the AMHP confirms it.
Evidence from an AMHP
Only an Approved Mental Health Professional can give the evidence. Other doctors, including GPs, cannot. The AMHP also names a nominated point of contact — usually someone involved in your care — who the debt adviser checks in with.
Who can apply for you
You can apply yourself, or the debt adviser can be contacted by your carer, an AMHP, your care co-ordinator, a mental health nurse, a social worker, an independent mental health or mental capacity advocate, or someone acting for you, such as an attorney. The adviser still needs details of your debts, as far as they are known.
How it differs from standard Breathing Space
| Standard | Mental health crisis | |
|---|---|---|
| How long | 60 days | Crisis treatment plus 30 days, with no fixed maximum |
| How often | Once in any 12 months | No limit, even after a recent Breathing Space |
| Evidence needed | None medical | From an AMHP |
| Debt advice | You must engage with the adviser | Not required; the nominated contact engages instead |
| Midway review | Between days 25 and 35 | None; treatment is checked instead |
| Cancel on request | No | Yes, it must be cancelled if you ask |
Checks while it runs, and how it ends
The adviser contacts your nominated point of contact between 20 and 30 days after the start, then every 20 to 30 days while treatment continues. They normally only need to confirm treatment is ongoing — not details of your health. It ends 30 days after the crisis treatment ends, or 30 days after the adviser asks the nominated contact to confirm treatment and gets no reply. It must also be cancelled if the evidence turns out to be inaccurate or misleading.
Bills during crisis care
Interest, charges and enforcement on the covered debts are paused, but ongoing bills such as rent and council tax still fall due. If someone helps you with money, ask them to keep these going, or ask the landlord or council about support. Debt and mental health.
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 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
Can my GP give evidence for Mental Health Crisis Breathing Space?
No. Only an Approved Mental Health Professional (AMHP) can provide the evidence. Your care team can tell you how to reach one.
How long does Mental Health Crisis Breathing Space last?
For as long as your crisis treatment lasts, plus 30 days. There is no 60-day limit and no limit on how many times you can have one.
Do I have to talk to a debt adviser during it?
No. You are not required to engage with debt advice. Your nominated point of contact confirms to the adviser that treatment is continuing.