It is estimated that one in five people with mental health conditions are in problem debt.
The research also shows that when people with mental health conditions face financial difficulty and debt, their recovery rates are significantly reduced.
To address this, the Government introduced the Mental Health Crisis Breathing Space (MHCBS) as part of a statutory regulation called The Debt Respite Scheme (Breathing Space Moratorium and Mental Health Crisis Moratorium) (England and Wales) Regulations 2020.
The MHCBS was created to protect people who are receiving mental health crisis treatment by:
- Pausing enforcement action from creditors they owe money to
- Freezing interest and charges on their debts
- Stopping contact from creditors during their treatment
This break offers people the time and space to focus on their mental health recovery, without the worry of growing debts and creditors.
We at We Are Group have been delivering the MHCBS on behalf of the Money and Pensions Service since January 2025 and we’ve re-designed the process to make it simpler, straightforward, and even more impactful.
We’ve launched an online application portal which has made it easier for patients or their nominated contacts to submit an application, meaning they can enter and benefit from the service quicker.
Our partnership with Toynbee Hall means we can provide free debt advice to help equip patients with the financial knowledge they need to become financially stable once their break has ended.
We’ve ensured that all patients or their nominated contacts are in the best hands by partnering with The Kaleidoscope Plus Group to make sure all of our staff members are mental health aware.
The MHCBS has a big impact on the financial and mental well-being of people who enter the service. And we want to make sure we reach everyone who is eligible, so they too can benefit from the service.
With your help, we can reach more people and offer them a helping hand when they need it most.
How you can help:
- Help to spread the word by promoting the service on your website. You can use the blurb below to signpost people to us:
If you find yourself overwhelmed by debt and are receiving mental health crisis treatment, free help is available.
The Mental Health Crisis Breathing Space (MHCBS) offers you a break from the organisations you owe money to, so you can focus on your recovery. Find out more here.
- Display our poster.
You can download our poster here.
- Collaborate with us
Have you got an upcoming virtual or in-person event? Let’s chat and see how we can work together to promote our life-changing services. Get in touch with us: marketing@wearegroup.com
Together, we can make a real difference in the lives of those affected by mental health conditions and problem debt.
