Looking after your mental health

Worrying about money can make it difficult to prioritise your mental health and wellbeing, but there is support available to help you take care of yourself.

Mental health charity Mind offer lots of guidance to make managing your money easier.

• Put all your letters, bank statements, payslips, bills and in one place so they are easy to find.
• Set a reminder on your phone, at a set time each week or month, to check your bank balance so you know what you’re spending and how much you have left.
• You could set a regular time to think about any tasks you need to do around money, such as paying your bills, and plan a relaxing activity for after you’ve finished.
• If possible, use cash instead of cards. Take out only the amount of money you can afford to spend, for example for a weekly shop.
• Create a budget. Start by making a list of all the essentials you need to spend money on every month, like rent, energy bills, phone bills and food shops. You could try using bank accounts which allow you to put money aside in separate pots.
• If you’re struggling to pay off your debts, get free debt advice from Citizens Advice. You could also ask for a break from paying interest on your debts under a government scheme called breathing space. If you are eligible, you’ll need to speak to a debt advisor to be considered.

Call Citizens Advice Cheshire West on 0808 2787 806.

If you are struggling financially, the stress this causes can make it harder to reach out for help. Mind has some advice on how to manage this anxiety and manage your money.

• Set a time for when you're going to open a bill or letter. You don't have to open them all at once - you can take it step by step.
• Or, you can ask someone you trust to open your letters and bills for you. They can let you know which of them are important.
• You could let your bank know that you have a mental health problem to see if there are any adjustments they can make.
• If you feel uncomfortable talking on the phone, use services which allow you to manage your account online, or let you speak to someone using web chat.
• Make notes beforehand on everything you want to ask about. You could write down all the things you want to say in advance.
• Afterwards, keep a note of everything you talked about. You can also ask the person on the phone to send you a summary.

If you need support, you can contact Mind's helpline.

• Tel: 0300 123 3393
• Email: info@mind.org.uk

If you would like to access face-to-face support, Mind have an office at 1a Dene Drive, Winsford, CW7 1AX. To check opening times and arrange a visit:

• Tel: 01606 863 305