As households face increasingly tight budgets and as the government comes under increasing pressure to deal with the worsening cost of living crisis in Britain, we asked people how the crisis affected them and their families. Just over 60% of people told us they felt more anxious than they did six months ago, with almost a third telling us they were more angry. Warning: This story contains a reference to suicide Millions of Britons are struggling now as prices soar, exacerbated by rising energy costs and record inflation. And with the average cost of a full tank of gasoline exceeding £ 100 for the first time and food bills rising, millions of people face an anxious decision whether to pay for fuel to heat their homes or to buy food to feed them. their families. In a poll that suggests the crisis could have a serious impact on the mental health of some people, nearly a third told us they feel more depressed now. And one in five people said the rising cost of living was affecting their sleep. With the wholesale price of natural gas in January 2022 almost four times higher than at the beginning of 2021, almost half (48%) of the people we interviewed said they had reduced their home heating. One third of people told us they socialized less. Meanwhile, four in 10 respondents say they have turned to buying cheaper brands or using cheaper stores to reduce their sales. “I can no longer afford the cost of living” Mental health charities have reported an increase in demand for their services from people who say they find it difficult to cope with rising living costs. Susan Lopez, 42, is a full-time caregiver, but her pay is low and hours are uncertain. She struggles with the rising cost of living and after all her bills are paid, she is left with a few pounds to live on, she said. “I work as many hours as I can and I should be able to make a living, but I can not,” he said. Susan lives alone and says her mental health has been steadily deteriorating for the past six months. Image: Susan Lopez is struggling with the rising cost of living “It’s so hard to have to get up every day and wear a brave face when everything I do inside collapses,” he said. “I do not want to be here anymore. I am full of life, I can no longer bear the cost of living. It is very expensive. “I have thought about suicide several times. That’s how it happened.” “If we do not see funding increase in line with demand … then people will die” One-fifth of low-income people are up to three times more likely to develop mental health problems than the wealthiest families, according to Adam Crampsie, managing director of Mental Health Concern, a charity that provides support to people on their behalf. NHS. “We have seen a dramatic increase in the number of people coming to our crisis services asking for emergency help as a result of the cost of living crisis,” he said. “We offer things at the grassroots level, on the road, to people who really need that help today. “And unfortunately, it takes a long time for state funding to reach us, if at all. “If we do not see funding increase according to the demand from people to access our services and how complicated these people are, then people will die,” he said. The government says it is providing a package of measures designed to alleviate the pain caused by the cost of living. A spokesman told Sky News: “We recognize the pressures people are facing due to the rising cost of living and are taking action to support households – providing eight million of the most vulnerable households with extra support this year, and all domestic electricity customers will receive energy. at least 400 £. “Mental health services will have additional funding of 2, 2.3 billion a year by 2023/24 – supporting an additional two million people in England – and we have launched a call for evidence to hear from the public what they want to see in the 10-year plan for mental health “. If you are affected by this story and want to talk to someone, you can call the Samaritans for free at 116 123 or email [email protected]
