A Sunderland man has spoken out about how the cost-of-living crisis and rising bills pushed him into a mental health crisis and saw him suffer from suicidal thoughts.
Jordan Sherwood, 29, has suffered from a range of mental health problems in recent years, but the rising costs he was facing early in 2022 pushed him into "a really dark place", he told ChronicleLive. Jordan, who has also struggled with addiction in the past, explained how, like many others over the last year, money worries had really hit his mental health.
Jordan is one of many to have been working with the Together in a Crisis (TIAC) service run by Newcastle-based charity Mental Health Concern. TIAC works in Sunderland, South Tyneside, Northumberland, North Tyneside and Newcastle to support those going through acute mental health difficulties.
Read more: Gosforth TV doctor Ellie Cannon on 'stress' of helping the UK through a pandemic
The charity said that the number of people accessing crisis support had risen 30% since January last year - and that there has been a shocking 121% year-on-year rise in the number of people, like Jordan, experiencing suicidal thoughts. The charity said that, like in Jordan's case, "many of these cases are linked to difficult financial situations".
Jordan said: "I was in a really bad place with my mental health and struggling. I was going through a lot of stuff. It was really bad. In addition to everything else, I have been struggling with money. Given everything with prices going up - I was really struggling with gas and electric too.
"I had been struggling lots with housing - and everything to do with my bills. Next, in 2023 I'm going to try to stop smoking, I know that'll help with money too."
He said that the combination of money worries, housing issues and longer-term issues with addiction and family left him struggling - but that support from TIAC and the Wearside Recovery College had helped him to cope, manage his finances better and improve his circumstances. Now, he's looking forward to making more progress in 2023.
Adam Crampsie, chief executive of Mental Health Concern added: "The latest figures from our Together in a Crisis services confirm the impact of the cost-of-living crisis on the health and wellbeing of our communities.
“Bills are set to increase as we move into the colder months and, as inflation continues to rise, many people’s financial situations will only get more difficult. This is especially true for lower earners in our community. This isn’t about tightening belts or ‘feeling the pinch’ – it is about people being forced into making impossible decisions daily."
In November, one of the most senior NHS figures in the North East has urged people to ask for help if the cost-of-living crisis was hitting their mental health.
Samantha Allen, chief executive of the NHS's North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board (ICB) spoke about a partnership between the NHS and financial support organisation the Money and Pensions Service as health leaders highlighted the link between money worries and mental health. Reducing the region's suicide rate is a key target - the North East saw 14.1 suicides per 100,000 people in 2021, making it the worst affected area of England and Wales.
Ms Allen added: "The cost of living is a real concern for people, but it's OK to ask for help, and there’s lots of support out there. Health professionals have a major role to play, by being aware of the risks and knowing which services can help with money problems."
READ NEXT:
