HEALTH MATTERS
YOU may have heard about the draft Cheshire East Place Five Year Plan written by health and social care partners to improve the health and wellbeing of people living in the local authority area.
Reflecting the findings of public engagement in August, the plan recognises the many non-medical factors that have a major impact on physical and mental health.
Called the wider determinants of health, these factors include financial wellbeing.
The ability to manage money well is sometimes called financial capability.
It’s how we manage our money, both day-today and through significant life events like having a baby, getting divorced or moving home. Basically, it’s all about our ability to make the most of our money.
At this time of year money is especially important as, at Christmas time, UK households spend over £500 more than they usually would.
This can put a huge burden on families but there are places that can help such as the Citizens’ Advice Bureau and Money Advice Service.
Money struggles are closely related to mental health problems, there is a vicious cycle as poor mental health means managing money is harder and then worrying about money makes mental health worse.
Money worries may affect you in ways such as:
Losing motivation to keep control of your finances
Making impulsive decisions
Getting anxious doing things like talking on the phone or opening envelopes
Not having enough money to pay for essentials.
There are four steps I would recommend if you are having money troubles: 1. Get organised
2. Talk things through with someone you trust
3. Understand your behaviour
4. Get professional advice.
For help on money and mental health struggles please visit www.mind.org. uk and search ‘Money and Mental Health’ or go to https://www.fincap.org. uk/.
The Five Year Plan was written by Cheshire East Partnership, made up of the four NHS Cheshire Clinical Commissioning Groups, Cheshire East Council, Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, East Cheshire NHS Trust, Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, South Cheshire and Vale Royal GP Alliance, and Vernova Healthcare – a community interest company representing the 19 GP practices of Eastern Cheshire. The plan is with Cheshire and Merseyside Health and Care Partnership for approval and will be implemented from next April.