Money in Mind: money and mental health signposting tool
Developed in partnership with the NHS, the Money in Mind tool sets out a range of questions a mental health professional can ask to explore any issues a service user might be experiencing about money.
Depending on the nature of those issues, there is also then a range of national services, tools and resources that can be shared.
Money in Mind is a tool for mental health professionals across the public, private and voluntary sector, in both health and social care.
Why money matters in mental health
We know that:
- 74% of people who experience a mental health problem struggle to keep up with bills and payments. (Adult Financial Wellbeing Survey (2022), Money and Pensions Service)
- 25% of people who experience a mental health problem are likely to be in problem debt. (The Facts (2019) Money and Mental Health Policy Institute)
- 91% of people who are struggling with their mental health avoid talking about money, often because they feel embarrassment, guilt or shame. (Money and Pensions Service survey of 3,000 UK adults, September 2022)
As mental health and money are often inextricably linked, this tool allows you to confidently explore any money issues that may be impacting on your patient’s recovery and signpost them to trusted sources of support for that specific money issue. Ultimately improving their financial wellbeing as well as their mental wellbeing.
How the tool was developed
The Money and Pensions Service (MaPS) worked with the following organisations to develop and test the tool:
- North East and North Cumbria ICB
- Money and Mental Health Policy Institute
- Rethink Mental Illness
- Cumbria, Northumberland and Tyne and Wear NHS Trust IPS Service
- South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Trust Life Cycle Service
- Tyneside and Northumberland Mind
It was independently evaluated by Involve North East. Based on the findings of that evaluation, MaPS updated the tool.
How to use the tool
Download the guidance document, and the questions and signposting for the country you work in (e.g. England, Wales, Northern Ireland or Scotland).
The tool is already populated with services and resources that operate nationally, but if there are local money guidance services that you are aware of, the document can be edited so you can add those in and have a comprehensive resource of both national and local money support services.