The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Suicide risk as soaring cost of living takes toll
Around a third of people who have sought advice from a Highland Perthshire debt advice centre have considered taking their own lives.
Christians Against Poverty (Cap) Highland Perthshire supports people across the Highland, Strathtay, Strathearn and Strathallan areas.
The centre believes there will be a “tsunami of need” for debt advice with soaring inflation, tax rises and energy costs spiralling.
Cap says it is working with families on lower incomes most affected who will not be able to cope unless employers raise pay.
While fuel poverty must be addressed, Cap says the impact of this on people’s mental health must not be forgotten.
Centre manager at Cap Highland Perthshire, Angela Hanvey, said: “It could save people’s lives, I guess. People turn to suicide when things like this happen.
“Around a third of our clients have considered taking their own lives.
“People think about the poverty but it’s the impact on people’s mental health that is often forgotten.”
With living costs soaring, Angela believes more people will need to turn to organisations such as Cap to cope.
She said: “We have already seen some big price increases in the last few months and there seems to be little prospect of things improving any time soon.
“A lot of people’s energy bills have increased throughout the pandemic, with more people working or being schooled from home, and then these latest increases have made things more of a struggle.
“We keep hearing there will be a tsunami of need. There will be a greater need for debt advice.”
As Highland Perthshire is so rural, Cap says most people need to use cars.
As well as food and heat, petrol is also more costly.
Angela said: “The bus services are there but there’s not a great deal of that.
“There will be a huge, huge number of people who are not going to be able to afford it unless they get a wage increase.
“There are agencies that can focus on energy advice but there are those that help with debt.”
She added: “What about those who are on benefits or on minimum wage?
“It’s working people who are hit the most if they are on seasonal zero-hour contracts.
“Schemes like the warm homes discount need to be extended not just for people on benefits but also for working families.”
If you are struggling mentally, the Samaritans offer free support on 116 123, or email them at jo@ samaritans.org. They never close. Visit samaritans.org to find your nearest branch.
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People think about the poverty but it’s the impact on mental health that is often forgotten