How do Mental Health Service Users and Staff Think the Cost-of-living Crisis Has Impacted Mental Health in England? A Qualitative Analysis

Economic variables such as debt can impact mental health. This study explored the impact of the cost-of-living crisis on mental health services users and staff, and aimed to identify potential support. Mental health service users and mental health service staff took part in interviews exploring the relationship between the cost of living and mental health, which were analysed thematically. Findings suggest that finances and mental health can be interlinked during the cost-of-living crisis, with sub-themes of ‘Economic hardship has an impact on everyone’ and ‘Hopelessness, frustration and desperate situations.’ A second theme identified was ‘Barriers to obtaining financial and mental health support’ with sub-themes of ‘Service and support accessibility,’ ‘Receiving inadequate support’ and ‘Increasing demand on services and staff pressures.’ A final theme was identified of ‘Learning from and developing on what works’. The cost-of-living crisis has had a wide-ranging impact on those using mental health services.