This page will signpost to specialist sites and agencies providing the appropriate expert advice for you. It is important to note that the state of personal and business finances can have a negative effect on mental health. The relationship between financial and emotional crisis can therefore be an unhealthy one, often leading to stress and triggering of suicidal thoughts. Building emotional resilience can help combat these feelings of stress that have been caused by debt.
Worried about Debt?
If you’re worried about personal or business debt, FREE and confidential debt advice is available online, over the phone or in person. Speaking to a trained and experienced debt adviser about your situation can help you see what the best decision for you might be.
A debt adviser can:
- give you advice on better ways of managing your money
- check to see if there are any benefits or entitlements you might be able to claim
- tell you about the ways of dealing with debts that are open to you
Money Helper enables you to find appropriate support close to you.
Advice on Restructuring Borrowing for your Farm Business
AHDB’s Knowledge Library has a wealth on information and advice on coping with business debt, restructuring borrowing, and freeing up cash.
Fuel Debt
As of January 2025, the number of UK households in fuel poverty is 6.1 million.
National Energy Action have outlined the steps you can take if you’re struggling to pay utility bills:
- Contact your energy supplier – they are required to work with you to find a manageable way for you to pay.
- Maximise your income – ensure you are receiving every benefit you are entitled to, including Warm Home Discount and Cold Weather Payments
- Sign up to the Priority Services Register – a system that energy companies use to make sure the correct support is given to their most vulnerable customers
- Make your home as energy efficient as possible – boiler upgrade and insulation schemes are available
- Change the way you use energy – reduce shower time or prepare batches of food in a slow cooker. It’s also important to keep an eye on your meter – if your bill is estimated (marked ‘E’) you could be paying too much.
Mental Health and Debt 2024 – Money Saving Expert
“A 2023 survey by debt counsellors Christians Against Poverty found that 81% of those
struggling with debt said it affected their mental wellbeing”
This new guide from Martin Lewis and Money Saving Expert offers help, information, guidance and support for individuals and carers.
It’s key message is that No Debt Problems Are Unsolvable. As Martin says, “Mental health problems can cause severe debt, and severe debt can cause mental health problems” yet he has “never once seen a case of debt that can’t be solved.”
Included is this excellent, practical guide:
- How to access FREE one to one help
- How to talk to your bank
- How to help a friend or family member with mental health problems who has found themselves in debt
NFU Debt advice service: PayPlan
- Payplan is a free debt advice and solutions company, providing debt solutions and advice on repayments whilst living a normal and happy life.
- The following link takes you to the ‘GET FREE DEBT HELP’ page, one of the Payplan advisers will then contact you for a chat on your debts and how they can be of help, click here.
- For further debt advice topics, click here.
- Call Payplan for free on: 08002802816.
Financial security
- The Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution (R.A.B.I)
- Guidance, financial and practical help for farming people of all ages.
The following link takes you to the government advice pages on debt and bankruptcy, click here.
Downloads:
Payplan
- NFU are working in partnership with Payplan and have the following downloadable documents for further information on the services Payplan can provide:
Debt and mental health
- The National Debtline have a downloadable resource on how debt and mental health can impact and affect each other.