A Bristol charity which issues advice on energy says it is receiving calls from people feeling suicidal 'at least two or three times a week' as gas and energy bills soar. Bristol's Centre for Sustainable Energy (CSE) has given its staff special training in suicide awareness amid an influx in calls from people struggling with their mental health as a result of the cost of living crisis.
Energy bills rose by around 54 percent on April 1, meaning the average household will now pay around £693 more per year to heat and light their home. Increased gas, council tax, mobile phone and food bills are also contributing to the cost of living squeeze which is being felt in Bristol and beyond.
The CSE has called the energy price cap rise "chilling news" for millions of people already struggling, adding it has seen "unprecedentedly high" numbers of people seeking energy saving advice. "We’ve seen a fourfold increase in demand for advice on financial support and energy debt," it said.
