Mental Health Crisis Breathing Space (MHCBS)

If your patient is receiving mental health crisis treatment and struggling with debt, free help is available.

The Mental Health Crisis Breathing Space (MHCBS) is a statutory programme that provides people with problem debt a temporary break from the organisations to which they owe money.

Start an MHCBS Application
Young Couple Discussing Finances While Sitting on Couch in Living Room
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About the Service

Mental health issues and problem debt often go hand in hand. In fact, more than 1.5 million people in the UK are experiencing both.

Mental Health Crisis Breathing Space (MHCBS) is designed to relieve this pressure. By pausing most creditor action whilst receiving crisis treatment, patients can concentrate fully on their recovery.

Eligibility criteria:

  • Living in England or Wales
  • They are receiving qualifying mental health crisis treatment
  • In problem debt
Start an MHCBS Application

Who Can Apply and How?

Applying for MHCBS is a straightforward process that can be completed using our online portal, accessible here.

You can submit an application on behalf of someone if you are a:

  • Approved Mental Health Professional (AMHP)
  • Care-Coordinator
  • Mental Health Nurse/Key Worker
  • Social Worker
  • Independent Mental Health Advocate
  • Independent Mental Health Capacity
  • Relevant Person's Representative.

Please note that a person must be receiving mental health crisis treatment, and an Approved Mental Health Professional (AMHP) must certify this. 

If you need support, please get in touch:
E: support@mhcbs.co.uk
T: 0800 987 4110

Start an MHCBS Application
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Service Resources

We have produced a selection of posters for Mental Health Professionals to use as helpful guides when completing an application.

If you would like printed copies of these service posters, please email support@mhbs.co.uk

In the email, please specify:

  • Which posters are being requested,
  • How many copies,
  • Who is expecting the posters,
  • The address  the posters are being sent to.

Upcoming Events

1. MHCBS in focus: Facts, Figures, and World Mental Health Day

World Mental Health Day is approaching on 10 October, so we are dedicating our October webinar to reflect on the Mental Health Crisis Breathing Space (MHCBS), providing insight into how many people we have supported so far.

Join us on 16 October at 09:30 am, where we will be joined by our Chief Operations Officer and Quality Manager.

During this session, they will provide up-to-date statistics on how many people we have supported through the service on a national scale, and look in to the current barriers and how you, as Mental Health Professionals, can support us.

This webinar is suitable for mental health social workers, approved mental health professionals, nurses, care coordinators and any professional involved in crisis mental health care.

Register your interest.

2. MHCBS Portal in Focus: Supporting Men’s Mental Health and Money Matters

November is an important month for mental health awareness. 

Not only is it a time where we shine light on men's mental health and the importance of supporting those in need, but Talk Money week is back and this year the theme is "It All Counts".

Join us on 20 November at 09:30 am, as we dedicate this session to providing an in-depth tutorial on how to create and submit a Mental Health Crisis Breathing Space (MHCBS) application.

We will be joined by our Chief Operations Officer who will run through our MHCBS portal and provide you with detailed tutorials of how to:

  • Log in or create an account

  • Complete an application

  • Submit an application

  • Access the knowledge articles.

This webinar is suitable for mental health social workers, approved mental health professionals, nurses, care coordinators and any professional involved in crisis mental health care.

Register your interest.

3. MHCBS 2026 Round-Up: A Year in Review

As 2026 draws to a close, join us on 16 December at 09:30 am for our final MHCBS webinar of the year. 

During this session, we will be providing a round up of the year, acknowledging:

  • How many people we have helped so far

  • How many people have been eligible and ineligible

  • Service barriers

  • Looking forward to 2027.

This webinar is suitable for mental health social workers, approved mental health professionals, nurses, care coordinators and any professional involved in crisis mental health care.

Register your interest.

Looking for practical guidance?

Visit our Content Library for webinars, guidance and resources for mental health professionals.

Visit the MHCBS Content Library

FAQs

1. What is Mental Health Crisis Breathing Space (MHCBS)?

MHCBS is a statutory debt respite scheme established under the Debt Respite Scheme (Breathing Space Moratorium and Mental Health Crisis Moratorium) (England and Wales) Regulations 2020, in force from May 2021.

It provides legal protections from most creditor action for individuals who are receiving qualifying mental health crisis treatment, allowing them to focus on their recovery. At the same time, access to regulated debt advice is established.

2. Who is eligible for Mental Health Crisis Breathing Space (MHCBS)?

An individual is eligible if they:

  • Are aged 18 or over
  • Reside in England or Wales
  • Are receiving mental health crisis treatment as defined in the Regulations
  • Have at least one qualifying debt

Eligibility must be certified by an Approved Mental Health Professional (AMHP) in accordance with Regulation 28.

3. Which debts are covered by Mental Health Crisis Breathing Space?

Most personal debts qualify, including:

  • Credit cards, store cards and personal loans
  • Overdrafts and payday loans
  • Utility arrears (rent, mortgage, electricity, gas, water)
  • Council tax arrears
  • Joint debts (protections apply to all liable parties)

Ongoing liabilities, such as rent, mortgage payments, council tax, and energy bills, must continue to be paid. Any arrears accrued after the moratorium starts are not protected.

 

4. What protections apply during the moratorium?

During the moratorium, creditors must not:

  • Take enforcement action
  • Pursue recovery activity or court proceedings
  • Apply interest, fees or charges to qualifying debts
  • Disconnect utilities or install pre-payment meters (except in limited lawful circumstances)

These protections apply for the entire duration of the mental health crisis treatment, plus a further 30 days after the treatment ends (often referred to as the cooling-off period).

5. Does Mental Health Crisis Breathing Space (MHCBS) write off debt?

No. MHCBS does not write off debt.

However, individuals are offered free, FCA-authorised debt advice during the moratorium. This may result in longer-term debt solutions, which can include a debt relief order or write-off where appropriate.

6. How long does the moratorium last?

There is no fixed time limit. The moratorium lasts:

  • For the entire period that the individual is receiving qualifying mental health crisis treatment, and
  • For an additional 30 days after treatment ends
Individuals may enter Mental Health Crisis Breathing Space multiple times, provided eligibility criteria are met on each occasion. 

7. How do professionals apply for Mental Health Crisis Breathing Space?

Applications can be submitted via the MHCBS online portal or using the approved form.

Applications may be made by:

  • Approved Mental Health Professional (AMHP)
  • Care-Coordinator
  • Mental Health Nurse/Key Worker
  • Social Worker
  • Independent Mental Health Advocate
  • Independent Mental Health Capacity
  • Relevant Person's Representative.
  • The individual receiving mental health crisis treatment

An Approved Mental Health Professional (AMHP) must always certify the application before it can proceed.

 

Mental Health Crisis Breathing Space (MHCBS) is a partnership service delivered by We Are Group and Toynbee Hall. We Are Group is the lead delivery partner, supporting access and coordination of the service. All regulated debt advice, including all communications relating to Breathing Space Moratorium, is provided by Toynbee Hall, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).