Financial difficulties and poor mental health are interconnected. With rising costs, it’s no surprise that more and more of us are experiencing money worries, and a subsequent impact on our wellbeing.
Advanced Public Health Practitioner, Jayne Cook is working to understand how the cost-of-living crisis is affecting the mental health and wellbeing of our communities and explains what support is available for those who are struggling.
With the cost of everyday basics like petrol, energy and food rising rapidly, many of us will have had to re-evaluate our spending. Creating a household budget or buying cheaper brands may be helping some people. Others will have had to make more significant changes, such as cutting back on energy use and other essentials – but what about those who were already struggling?
Financial security is linked to feelings of self-worth – so when you struggle to afford the basics, people are left feeling distressed, ashamed, fearful, and overwhelmed. When there’s simply not enough money to go around, and people are having to make the choice between heating and eating – the devastating impact on mental health is clear.
Over the past few months, community-based support services have seen a rapid increase in people needing financial, housing, and mental health support.
Clinical services are telling us that interactions with patients are heavily dominated by anxieties relating to fuel poverty and the cost-of-living crisis, and organisations like food banks and food pantries are actively seeking support around mental health for their service users.
There are concerns that local services are becoming overwhelmed by the increased demand for support – but we are developing plans with partners to help manage and proactively respond to what’s happening in the city.
Winter pressures will mean a further increase in demand, but we’re investing to extend accessibility and the reach of the city’s mental health support services and we’re hosting targeted events for those at particular risk.
We’re now working with partners across the city to get people access to the help they need during this crisis and beyond.
Public Health are currently working in partnership with The Life Rooms to offer practical support around health and wellbeing.
The Life Rooms employ a team of “Pathways Advisors” who are experts in helping people navigate the routes to support for all kinds of things that can impact wellbeing – including family and caring responsibilities, mental health and physical wellbeing, social isolation, employment, learning, financial difficulties and housing issues.
The Life Rooms understand that some of these challenges are very difficult to unpick, especially when you’re feeling down, stressed, lacking confidence or unable to think straight. The Life Rooms will help you to address those feelings and improve your wellbeing so that you’re in a better position to take on the things that are bringing you down.”
Urgent Mental Health Support
If people are feeling in crisis and have suicidal thoughts, they can call Mersey Care NHS on freephone 0800 145 6570.
A trained and experienced team is on hand ready to listen and offer urgent mental health support, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Or text: the word HEAL to 85258. This is a free, confidential 24/7 text message support service which is available for anyone who is feeling overwhelmed or is struggling to cope
Support in your community
In addition to their Walton location, The Life Rooms are providing community-based support at the following locations:
Location | Address | Day /Time |
North Liverpool | ||
Norris Green Library | Townsend Avenue, Norris Green, Liverpool, L11 5AF | Wednesday & Friday 09:30am – 3:30pm |
County Childrens Centre | Arnot St, Walton, Liverpool, L4 4ED | Tuesday 09:00am – 3:00pm |
Kirkdale One Stop Shop | 101 Walton Rd, Kirkdale, Liverpool, L4 4AG | Monday & Tuesday 09:30am – 3:30pm |
Yew Tree Childrens Centre | Berryford Road Dovecot, L14 4ED | Monday 09:30am – 3:30pm |
Central Liverpool | ||
Tuebrook Childrens Centre | 61 Lower Breck Rd, Tuebrook, Liverpool, L6 4BX | Thursday 09:30am – 3:30pm |
Kensington Library | Kensington, Liverpool, L7 2RJ | Wednesday & Thursday 09:30am – 3:30pm |
Kensington Childrens Centre | 23 Quorn St, Edge Hill, Liverpool, L7 2QR | Wednesday 09:30am – 3:30pm |
Central Library | William Brown St, Liverpool, L3 8EW | Thursday 12:30pm – 3:30pm Friday 09:30am – 3:30pm |
Wavertree Childrens Centre | 85 Wellington Road Wavertree, L15 4LE | Monday 09:30am – 3:30pm |
Picton Childrens Centre | 139 Earle Road Liverpool, L7 6HD | Friday 11:00am – 3:30pm |
Toxteth Library | Windsor St, Toxteth Liverpool L8 1XF | Monday & Friday 09:30am – 3:30pm |
South Liverpool | ||
Lee Valley Millennium Centre | Childwall Valley Rd, Belle Vale Liverpool, L25 2PR | Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday 09:30am – 3:30pm |
Belle Vale Childrens Centre | Hedgefield Rd, Belle Vale Liverpool, L25 2RW | Tuesday 09:30am – 3:30pm |
Garston Library | Bowdon Road, Garston Liverpool, L19 1QN | Monday & Tuesday 09:30am – 3:30pm |
Garston Childrens Centre | 70 Banks Rd, Garston, Liverpool, L19 8JZ | Friday 09:00am – 3:00pm |
Parklands Library | Conleach Rd, Speke, Liverpool, L24 0TY | Friday 09:30am – 3:30pm |
Childwall & Woolton Childrens Centre | Rudston Road, Liverpool, L16 4PQ | Thursday 09:30am – 3:30pm |
Visit www.liferooms.org for more information.