Mind reveals mental health toll of cost-of-living crisis, with 2.7 million people considering suicide because of financial pressure
Posted on 31st October 2023 by Dan Price
Research published by Mind today shows the full impact of the cost-of-living crisis on the nation’s mental health, with three in every 50 (6 per cent) people in England and Wales saying they have considered ending their lives because of it.
Other findings include that one in five (20 per cent) people report worsening depression because of the cost of living, and one in ten (10 per cent) developing disordered eating as a result.
The numbers also show the increased impact on people who were already struggling, with the cost-of-living crisis resulting in:
People receiving Universal Credit being more than three times more likely to consider suicide because of the cost-of-living crisis than those who don’t receive benefits. [1]
A third (33 per cent) of people receiving Universal Credit reporting deepening depression.
A fifth (20 per cent) of people receiving Universal Credit reporting disordered eating.
The figures come ahead of the Autumn Statement, with wide reporting that the UK government will not raise benefits in line with inflation. Mind is calling on the government to make sure benefits continue to cover the essentials and to reconsider changes to Work Capability Assessments, reducing already limited support for people too unwell to work.