How advice on debt and housing helps people manage mental health
New survey shows 90% of mental health practitioners in Wales are asked about practical problems
Our data shows 49% of all clients we see in Wales have a long-term health condition or disability. The most common of these is problems with mental health.
Having mental health problems can make it difficult for people to manage other practical issues in their lives, such as money, debt, housing, immigration and employment.
With the Royal College of Psychiatrists in Wales (RCPsych) we’ve explored how practical problems can affect people’s mental health, when there’s a lack of support to help them cope.
Practical problems and mental health
57 mental health practitioners across Wales responded to our survey. They told us that they’re spending more time helping people with practical problems. We found:
- 9 out of 10 practitioners said people raise practical problems at mental health appointments
- Half felt that they’re spending more time this year than last year dealing with non-health issues as part of appointments
- 9 out of 10 said practical problems lead to clients being unable to manage their mental health, including problems like debt that create a barrier to people’s recovery.
What can we do to support practitioners to focus on mental health treatment?
Practical problems can play a part in causing a person’s mental health condition. They may exacerbate it or practical problems may come about as a direct result of their condition.
Supporting people to deal with practical problems is essential.
There’s some great examples of how offering practical advice in mental health services and health settings can help people. One is at Citizens Advice South Liverpool, where GPs, psychiatrists and other health workers are encouraged to refer patients with complex issues to Citizens Advice for help with practical issues.
In Wales, an example includes Citizens Advice Merthyr Tydfil who receive referrals from GPs, mental health practitioners and third-sector partners. They have a permanent presence 1 day a week at the local health centre, which includes a mental health team. This allows reception staff and practitioners to get to know advisers and work together to assist the local community. They help patients who might not otherwise use the Citizens Advice service. They assist mental health practitioners who are trying to resolve problems that aren’t medically related.
Merthyr advisers find that clients with mental health problems are often suffering because of a practical problem that can be resolved relatively easily by trained, accredited and regulated advisers.
In our recent Wales-wide survey, mental health practitioners told us that having trained advisers in mental health treatment settings would help. Patients would get the help and support with practical problems they so often need, and this would allow practitioners to focus on treatment and recovery.
Integrated practical support in mental health services across Wales would go a long way to help and by getting the most out of mental health treatment, providing advice where it is needed, we are following NHS Wales’ commitment to prudent healthcare.
What’s next?
Citizens Advice Cymru and RCPsych are calling for advice services to be provided in mental health settings to help people with issues such as welfare, debt and housing problems.
