This report has considered the published evidence on the relationship between
debt and mental health problems. Currently, there is no conclusive evidence
of a strictly causal relationship. However, there is plausible evidence from
longitudinal research studies that indebtedness is often subsequently followed
by mental health problems, whilst cross-sectional surveys indicate that the
greater the number of debts a person has, the higher their risk of also having a
mental disorder.
Whilst it is important that new research is commissioned and undertaken to
improve the evidence base, this is not a reason to delay action and intervention.
Critically, as people with debt and mental health problems can be ‘patients’,
‘advice clients’ and ‘bank customers’ at the same time, this action needs to be
both informed by appropriate knowledge and skills, and also well co-ordinated
across the relevant sectors.