How is the cost-of-living crisis impacting mental health charities?

Friday 17 May 2024

Mental health charities have seen a rise in demand and a drop in donations since the pandemic due to the cost-of-living crisis, according to the head of Mind Jersey.

As part of Mental Health Awareness Week this week, Mind Jersey’s Executive Director Patricia Tumelty called for a more holistic, family-centered approach to mental health that addresses the impact of social and economic factors.

"The cost-of-living means that donors have less money in their pockets to give away, while money worries are also having a huge impact on the mental health of islanders," she explained.

Despite people continuing to donate and organise fundraisers, the amounts raised are approximately half of what would have been raised before the pandemic.

Dr Tumelty added that demand for Mind Jersey's services has doubled since the pandemic, with more than 500 new service users in 2023 compared to 2022.

Pictured: Dr Patricia Tumelty is the Executive Director of local mental health charity Mind Jersey.

She spoke about the ways that the current financial climate is particularly affecting women, the elderly, the youth, and those with addictions – and how these issues are causing an increased demand for the service of Mind Jersey.

"A key challenge is the changing face of family life, such as young adults living with parents," she explained.

Dr Tumelty said this is especially challenging for some young people under 25 who are living at home and who are not working or in education.

"On the other hand, some older people are experiencing increased loneliness as families may have moved away or they have lost their friends and are no longer working — all of which can lead also to financial insecurity," she added.

Other challenges, she explained, include where people are living with complex long-term mental illness.

This can include those experiencing or dual diagnosis, which is when someone has both a mental health disorder and a substance use disorder

"This can be challenging for the individual and families especially trying to access the most effective support or treatment," said Dr Tumelty.

"This can become a vicious cycle because poverty can sometimes make people make poor decisions as they have limited choices and options."

Pictured: Mind Jersey provides information, support and practical help to anyone with mental health problems.

Meanwhile poverty and cost-of-living pressures also also impacting on families who have one adult with mental illness, with a second adult sometimes having to give up work due to their caring role – reducing total household income.

"This exacerbates the situation because less money means fewer options and opportunities for time out and self-care," the mental health expert explained.

Another area in which the charity has seen changes since the pandemic is Mind Jersey's work with women. 

Dr Tumelty said: "While the rise in remote working arrangements since the pandemic has been beneficial for many, these new dynamics are also putting an increased burden on employed women with family or caring responsibilities.

"This has created a shift toward more traditional gender roles where women do most of the unpaid labour at home while also working full time.

"The double burden is taking a toll on their mental health because of competing unrealistic demands."

Dr Tumelty called for a more holistic, family-centered approach that addresses the social, economic, and psychological factors affecting mental health in light of these challenges.

"Such an approach can help improve individual mental health outcomes, address broader social inequalities and promote an island where everyone thrives," she said.