23/03/2023

MENTAL HEALTH AND THE COST-OF-LIVING CRISIS REPORT: another pandemic in the making?

The Mental Health Foundation (the MHF) has published a report on mental health and the cost-of-living crisis stating that people living in poverty or experiencing financial stress and are more likely to develop mental health problems.

The MHF attributes this to the cost-of-living crisis, poverty and financial stress which they say is likely rise over the next few years.

The MHF conducted a UK-wide survey which saw increased reports across the UK that more people are going without the basic living essentials, such as food and a warm home.

The survey also showed that many people across the UK are feeling anxious, stressed and hopeless due to their current financial situation.

In conclusion, the MHF expects that the effects of the cost-of-living crisis on public mental health will be on a scale similar to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The MHF has called on the government to take action, with the same urgency as it dealt with COVID-19, to help support people across the UK. In particular, financial support schemes that prevent people from experiencing poverty and financial stress will be critical to supporting good public mental health going forward.