BACP spokesman and Head of Policy and Public Affairs Martin Bell calls upon Rishi Sunak to offer more in the way of Mental Health support as part of the Spring Statement.
Cost of living increases will have a significant impact upon the mental health of many in our country. As Martin says: “We’d like to have seen the Chancellor provide additional investment in mental health services today, including counselling and psychotherapy, to support those with financial worries as part of a more holistic response.”
Clear links between poverty and mental health mean that the days we are living in now may have a detrimental impact on many. Packages to support them from government are much needed. Read more from BACP >
Reacting to the announcements, Paul Farmer, Chief Executive of Mind, said:
“While the announcement today by the Chancellor of the Exchequer that the Household Support Fund will double to £1 billion is welcome, this measure falls far from the level of support that households struggling with the cost of living truly needed. With inflation at sky high levels, an eight per cent increase to benefit payments in line with the increases in the cost of living was the bare minimum the Chancellor needed to announce today. Without this increase we will see people already struggling, many with mental health issues, plunged into further financial distress by what amounts to the second cut to their household income in less than six months”. Read more from Mind’s website >
Please don’t hesitate to contact Rainbow for more information on counselling support and coping strategies.
Related topic from the Money & Mental Health Policy Institute:
Why the Spring Statement doesn’t go far enough to support people with mental health problems >
