AM calls for action over debt and mental health

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Thu 15th May 2008

The Welsh Liberal Democrat spokesperson for Social Justice, Peter Black is calling for the banks, government, and heath and welfare professionals to work together in order to provide a better service to those people who experience both debt and mental health problems

Mr. Black was speaking in the light of the latest MIND report which details the ways in which being in debt can impact upon mental health, whilst people with mental health problems are almost three times more likely to be in debt, often as they are living on a low income or can't work - due to difficulties getting a job, because of stigma, or due to ill health. This combination reduces the lives of many to a misery.

Mr. Black said: "This isn't a minor problem for a few. One in four of us will be affected by a mental health problem at some point in our lives, and for some of us the combination of debt problems and mental heath difficulties will be a toxic mixture.

"The MIND report shows that people who have experience of mental distress are three times more likely to be in debt, and for those with specific medical conditions the number rises to one in four. Something must be done.

"The report makes a number of recommendations that I would fully endorse. Among them are that banks and utilities should act quickly to improver the service they offer to people with mental health problems, including better training for staff.

"Government can help by regulating door-step lenders and private finance companies far more closely than is now the case.

"There needs to be better training for healthcare professionals so that they can spot the signs of debt problems occurring and seek appropriate advice for their clients.