![A lavender armchair inside an allotment shed at dusk, a tin of papers on the workbench beside it](https://viacara.com/img/content/money-worries-feature-light.webp) # Money worries Money worries can affect your mental health, and the other way round. Free debt advice handles the money. We help with the worry, alongside it. Worrying about money can affect your mental health. A mental health problem can also make money harder to manage. These are two problems, and each has its own help. Free debt advice deals with the money. Talking support can help with the worry, alongside that advice and never instead of it. Source: [NHS: money worries](https://viacara.com/support/money-worries/#ref-1) ## How money worries can *feel* Money worries rarely stay as numbers on a page. They tend to follow you to bed, to work and into your closest relationships. - Lying awake going over bills and what you owe - Leaving post unopened, or not checking your bank app - Feeling ashamed, or hiding it from the people close to you - Snapping at people, or arguing at home about money - Low mood, or a sense that you are stuck None of this means you have failed. Money trouble can follow a job loss, an illness, a break-up or rising bills. Almost half of people in problem debt also have a mental health problem. That is the Money and Mental Health Policy Institute's own figure. Source: [MMHPI: money and mental health](https://viacara.com/support/money-worries/#ref-2) ## Where *free* debt advice starts We do not give debt advice, and talking support does not include it. Debt advice is a regulated service, so it belongs with the organisations below. [MoneyHelper](https://www.moneyhelper.org.uk) Anyone in the UK Free money guidance backed by the government, with an online tool that finds free debt advice near you. Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm [Call](tel:+448000113797) [Find debt advice](https://www.moneyhelper.org.uk/en/money-troubles/dealing-with-debt/debt-advice-locator) [StepChange](https://www.stepchange.org) Anyone in the UK A debt charity that gives free advice by phone and online. Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm Saturday 9am to 2pm [Call](tel:+448001381111) [National Debtline](https://nationaldebtline.org) Anyone with debt Free debt advice by phone and online. Not available in Northern Ireland. Monday to Friday 9am to 8pm Saturday 9.30am to 1pm [Call](tel:+448088084000) ### Local advice in your *nation* Citizens Advice runs a free line in England, Wales and Scotland. Advice NI covers Northern Ireland. [Citizens Advice](https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk) Anyone Free advice on debt, benefits and bills, by phone or at a local office. - England [0800 144 8848](tel:+448001448848) Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm; closed on public holidays - Scotland [0800 028 1456](tel:+448000281456) Your local bureau's hours - Wales [0800 702 2020](tel:+448007022020) Monday to Friday 8am to 7pm; Saturday 9am to 1pm; closed on public holidays [Advice NI](https://www.adviceni.net) Anyone Northern Ireland Free advice on debt and benefits across every council area. Check the website for the helpline's opening hours. [Call](tel:+448009154604) ![The same shed in morning light, the papers sorted into folders and the door open onto the garden](https://viacara.com/img/content/money-worries-mid-light.webp) The money has its own advisers. The worry can have support too ## When your mental health is part of it [Mental Health and Money Advice](https://mentalhealthandmoneyadvice.org) is an online service from the charity Mental Health UK. It explains how money and mental health problems affect each other. Its advice line takes referrals only, through services such as National Debtline and StepChange. Breathing Space is a legal scheme in England and Wales. For 60 days it pauses most interest, charges and action from the people you owe. It does not pause your repayments. You cannot apply yourself. A debt adviser applies for you, if it is right for you. There is also a Mental Health Crisis Breathing Space. It lasts as long as your mental health crisis treatment, plus another 30 days. An approved mental health professional has to certify that you are in that treatment. Scotland has its own scheme, called a moratorium. For 6 months, the people you owe cannot take action to recover the debt. It does not stop interest or charges. Sources: [Mental Health UK: money advice](https://viacara.com/support/money-worries/#ref-3), [HM Government: Breathing Space](https://viacara.com/support/money-worries/#ref-4), [HM Treasury: Breathing Space guidance](https://viacara.com/support/money-worries/#ref-5), [Scottish Government: moratorium](https://viacara.com/support/money-worries/#ref-6) ## If the *cost* of support worries you ViaCara is free for you to use. Each professional sets their own fee, and you agree it with them directly. NHS Talking Therapies is free. If you live in England, you can refer yourself. Elsewhere in the UK, ask a GP what talking therapy your area offers. [NHS Talking Therapies](https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/mental-health-services/find-nhs-talking-therapies-for-anxiety-and-depression/) Adults England Free NHS talking therapy for anxiety and depression. You can refer yourself online. [Find your local service](https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/mental-health-services/find-nhs-talking-therapies-for-anxiety-and-depression/) Sources: [NHS: talking therapies overview](https://viacara.com/support/money-worries/#ref-8), [NHS: talking therapies](https://viacara.com/support/money-worries/#ref-7) ## What talking support can *hold* The debt is one problem. What it does to you is another. A professional can help with the [anxiety](https://viacara.com/support/anxiety/), the [low mood](https://viacara.com/support/depression/) or the [lost sleep](https://viacara.com/support/sleep/) that money worries bring. Talking support is for how the money feels, not for your accounts. If gambling sits behind the debt, [our gambling page](https://viacara.com/support/addiction/gambling/) lists specialist help. ## You might find it *useful* when - The worry has stayed even after debt advice has started - You want to talk about what money has cost a relationship - Old feelings about money, from childhood or an earlier debt, keep coming back - You want somewhere safe to say what you have not told anyone - Low mood or anxiety makes it hard to face money It helps to tell a professional what debt advice you already have. A good one will work alongside it. ## If it all feels like too much Money worries can build until they feel impossible to carry. If you are thinking about ending your life, [our crisis page](https://viacara.com/crisis/gb/) lists who to talk to now, day or night. Thanks for your interest. We're not taking on new clients at the moment. ## Ready to talk about the *worry* as well as the money? We ask what matters to you, then find professionals who fit. Leave your email and we'll let you know as soon as we're ready for you. This conversation helps us find you the right support. What you share helps us understand what you're looking for and find someone who fits. Your email keeps you updated on what's happening next and isn't shared with anyone we introduce you to. [Privacy policy](https://viacara.com/privacy) [Terms of service](https://viacara.com/terms) ## References 1. National Health Service (2026). *Every Mind Matters: money worries and your mental health*. [Link](https://www.nhs.uk/every-mind-matters/lifes-challenges/money-worries-mental-health/) 2. Money and Mental Health Policy Institute (2026). *Money and mental health: the facts*. [Link](https://www.moneyandmentalhealth.org/money-and-mental-health-facts/) 3. Mental Health UK (2026). *About Mental Health and Money Advice*. [Link](https://mentalhealthandmoneyadvice.org/about/) 4. HM Government (2026). *Options for dealing with your debts: Breathing Space*. [Link](https://www.gov.uk/options-for-dealing-with-your-debts/breathing-space) 5. HM Treasury and The Insolvency Service (2026). *Debt Respite Scheme (Breathing Space) guidance for money advisers*. [Link](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/debt-respite-scheme-breathing-space-guidance/debt-respite-scheme-breathing-space-guidance-for-money-advisers) 6. Scottish Government (2026). *Apply for a moratorium*. [Link](https://www.mygov.scot/apply-for-moratorium) 7. National Health Service (2026). *Find an NHS talking therapies service*. [Link](https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/mental-health-services/find-nhs-talking-therapies-for-anxiety-and-depression/) 8. National Health Service (2026). *Talking therapies*. [Link](https://www.nhs.uk/tests-and-treatments/talking-therapies/) ## Related ### [Understanding Anxiety](https://viacara.com/support/anxiety/) Learn about anxiety, its symptoms and how therapy can help. Find the right practitioner for anxiety support. ### [Low Mood and Depression](https://viacara.com/support/depression/) Low mood that lasts two weeks or more can be a sign of depression. It is common and treatable. Find a professional who works with low mood. ### [Sleep Problems and Insomnia](https://viacara.com/support/sleep/) Insomnia is thought to affect around 1 in 3 people in the UK. Find a professional who works with sleep and with what keeps you awake. ### [Gambling](https://viacara.com/support/addiction/gambling/) Gambling harm is treated apart from drugs and alcohol. The NHS runs clinics you can refer yourself to, and the national helpline is free and open 24/7. ### [Facing redundancy](https://viacara.com/support/moments/redundancy/) Redundancy can take your routine, your income and your sense of who you are. Space to talk about the loss and what comes next. ### [Retiring](https://viacara.com/support/moments/retirement/) Retirement can take your routine and your sense of purpose with the work. Space to talk about who you are now and what fills the day. ### [Finding the Right Practitioner](https://viacara.com/guides/finding-a-practitioner/) A practical guide to finding a mental health practitioner who fits your needs, preferences and budget.