Health Focus: Anxious times

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Health Correspondent Marie-Louise Connolly looks at the rise in mental health problems due to the recession.

This week, Health Focus takes a look at how losing your job can affect your mental health.

Our health correspondent Marie-Louise Connolly asks a medical expert whether rising debt as a result of the economic downturn can cause more mental health problems.

And she also talks to a representative from the Citizens Advice Bureau about how best to cope with the credit crunch.

The Royal College of Psychiatrists says people who already have mental health problems are even more likely to be in debt, and are the most vulnerable.

If debt is having an impact on your mental health, the most important thing to do is to talk to someone about it, as early as possible, they say.

The Royal College of Psychiatrists has worked with the Financial Services Agency and others to put together information and provide practical advice to try to prevent problems arising.

Key figures:

• One in four people has a mental health problem
• One in two adults in debt has a mental health problem
• One in four people with a mental health problem is also in debt
• Debt may be a cause and consequence of mental health problems