Mental health charity Manchester Mind has launched new support services following an increased demand as people struggle with the cost-of-living crisis.
The charity says it has seen an increase in the demand for help this year and has adapted the services it offers to ensure it can support as many people in Manchester as possible.
Their services include their Food For All Team who work with those who need the most help, and they have launched weekly support sessions on Mondays and Thursdays.
These sessions provide a safe space for people to come and talk with them and find out what help is on offer.
Every Monday they have an Advice Worker in the sessions to help people who are struggling financially, providing information on debt, housing, and benefits.
They also have an online hub full of information about accessing benefits, managing debt, where to access local help and practical advice to help manage your finances.
Alongside this they continue to offer other services for those experiencing mental health problems including Peer Support for ages 18+, services for Children and Young People.
Their Food for All Team offer cooking sessions, community gatherings and allotment gardening sessions, and they also have volunteering opportunities.
Sam Harwood, Marketing and Communications Manager at Manchester Mind, said: “We know financial distress and poor mental health have a cyclical relationship.
“If you are experiencing financial distress, you’re more likely to develop a mental health problem, and if you’ve got a mental health problem you are more likely to fall into or struggle getting out of financial distress.
“Poor mental health can make earning and managing money harder and worrying about money can make your mental health worse. It can start to feel like a vicious cycle.”
To help people with the cost-of-living crisis, since last summer, national Mind has seen a 40% increase in the number of people contacting their Infoline about difficulties they have been experiencing with financial matters such as welfare, unemployment, and personal debt.
Calls about financial matters also now make up a larger proportion of all calls to Mind’s Infoline than this time last year and advisors are consistently speaking to people who are struggling financially.
Harwood said: “People are continuing to express anxiety over rising bills, worry over not being able to afford essentials, and concerns over whether they can stay in their homes.
“Callers are also still regularly asking us if we know of any financial support for them to help with the rising costs, and for assistance with navigating the confusing benefits system.”
In an open letter to the Prime Minister in August, the CEO of Mind, Paul Farmer among others wrote about how the cost-of-living crisis was affecting the nation’s mental health.
They said: “With over 1.5 million people currently on a waiting list, the cost-of-living crisis could put our entire mental health system on the brink of collapse, leaving people that are already struggling without the support they need.
“Adequately supporting those on the lowest incomes, who are most at risk of experiencing mental health problems and are at higher suicide risk, is imperative right now.”
For more information on the services Manchester Mind offers click here.
Main image by Nico Smit on Unsplash
