All NHS mental health services should be required to provide money and housing advice, says charity

NHS mental health services are being called on to offer money, housing and welfare advice, after a new report revealed that the vast majority (84%) of people have seen their mental wellbeing worsen as a result of the cost of living crisis.

The call comes from the Centre for Mental Health, who say that – despite the widespread need for support – people often found it out of reach due to long waiting lists.

Public health emergency

One person described the crisis as a “circular firing squad of pressures” that has left their resilience at an all-time low.

Among other things, the crisis is impacting people’s

• Sleep
• Social life
• Nutrition

“The cost-of-living crisis is a public health emergency,” said Andy Bell, CEO at the Centre for Mental Health.

He added: “Money problems are a major cause of mental ill health. And people with mental health problems are at greater risk of the worst effects of any financial crisis.

“This is a vicious circle that for many people is proving impossible to escape, even as inflation rates are now easing.”

Recommendations

The charity is now calling for NHS England (NHSE) and integrated care boards (ICBs) to require all mental health services to give people money, housing and welfare advice – this should be written into contracts and service specifications.

Perhaps aligning with the government’s desired shift of health and care into the community, the Centre for Mental Health also says that support should be offered close to people’s homes in order to reduce travel costs for service users.

The report, Just living and coping: The impact of the cost-of-living crisis on mental health, also says that NHSE and ICBs should work closely with community-based organisations to ensure providers deliver culturally competent mental health and financial support.

Furthermore, NHSE should implement the access and waiting time standards set out in the clinically led review of standards two years ago.

Individual placement and support employment services should also be expanded so people can secure paid work that meets their needs, according to the charity.

Andy Bell concluded: “Every mental health service must come with ready access to help and advice with money, work and housing.

“No one with a mental illness should be left without this crucial service, struggling with their finances when help could be at hand to ease this burden.”

The research was commissioned by the mental health charity, Mind. Read more on the recent changes in the mental health sector.

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