By Chelsie Lee Rattigan
After recently recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic, we are entering a new crisis, the cost-of-living crisis within the UK.
The cost-of-living crisis, life on low pay, rising prices, humanitarian crisis, inflation, rising energy prices, hunger crisis, homelessness, despair. These are just some examples of what the UK public is exposed to daily during the cost-of-living crisis. We all know that language has power, and the language used here transforms into reality for those struggling the most with the UK cost of living crisis. After the Covid-19 pandemic, I did extensive research on how the language used by news outlets instilled crippling fear across the UK, showing how language can corrupt thought, and we, as an induvial we, are a product of this thought. Now entering this new crisis, trends in anxiety and stress from the perpetual overload of information on the cost of living crisis oozing from any news outlets coupled with the crippling physical impactions on people’s personal finances troubles are starting a wave of increased mental health illnesses across the UK (Mental Health Foundation, 2022)
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(Statista, 2022)
The cost-of-living crisis is having catastrophic effects across the UK. The macro effects are seen as the astronomical rise in costs of food, where basic supplies such as bread and milk have shot up by 15% (Female Invest, 2022). In addition, the cost of renting a home has increased by 20%the highest ever on the UK record and increased interest rates reaching 9%, the highest ever since the 1980’s. This overall means households have less disposable income and higher outgoings. However, in correlation with the crisis, there has been a momentous rise in levels of illness through malnutrition and respiratory-related diseases as citizens keep their heating off during winter as energy pr ices soar. Many families are making the daily decision between heat or food. It is a bleak reality that many may not have comprehended a few years ago.
These are undeniably catastrophic effects that have tremendous implications for the public. Through having conversations with the public on the crisis, it was brought to my attention that what may be seen by governments as a micro effect of the crisis is mental health, which falls under the umbrella of public wellbeing. However, mental health is often overlooked, yet so prevalent, and a condition of the overload of information from news outlets and the personal stresses of rising prices and tightened budgets. The Health Foundation (2022) published a statement which states that there is an increase in stress and anxiety among individuals about money troubles. They assert that this is then detrimental to society as “any lasting plan for growth must recognise that a healthy population is key for a healthy economy” (Heath Foundation, 2022). Supporting this a critical national mental health charity, Mind (2022) reported they received a 30% increase from July 2021 – July 2022 in calls over finances, with money worries being one of the biggest reasons tracked to influence people’s mental health negatively (Mind, 2022).
Through realising this, I undertook further research on how stress and anxiety impact our lives. Ongoing stress can physically affect our health and is a physiological concern. UK entrepreneur Grace Beverley eloquently discusses this with physiologist Oli Patrick who states how prolonged mental stress can physically impact an individual’s health (Grace Beverley, 2022). Further studies from the health foundation and the UK’s national health service show that mental stress can translate to high blood pressure, diabetes and heart disease.
Therefore, this general poorer health of the UK population puts further stress on the fragile national health system. In addition, the backlog of appointments means illnesses such as mental health are often left untreated and undiagnosed worsening phycological conditions.
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(NHS, 2022)
I have worked with a Community Interest Organisation, ‘Dramatic Recovery’ on the impact of the cost of living crisis on local organisations. They stated they have “defiantly seen an increase to mental health services due to the cost of living crisis due to worries over bills and heating, with many being signed off work with depression and stress-related issues”.
As an organisation, Dramatic Recovery aims to improve wellbeing through an artistic medium, encouraging self-expression and communication. However, they have found that “many people struggle to access the arts due to a stigma of this being a luxury curriculum instead of a wellbeing art form”. Dramatic recovery ensures all their workshops are free to help reach those most financially and mentally vulnerable within the community.
Moreover, Dramatic Recovery explained how more young people have been coming to them with stress and anxiety over money troubles “as they have become more aware of this through witnessing their parent’s stress”. They stated this has resulted in children changing eating habits and not attending their curriculum groups that have a cost due to rising cost worries. These conversations have been allowed through the amazing art workshops by Dramatic Recovery, who strive to do their best for the mental health of their community.
If it were not for small grassroots organisations such as these supporting communities, so many people would not have a safe space to turn to. There has been an immense sense of solidarity with the UK from grassroots organisations pulling together to help communities and support their mental wellbeing.
However, the overall recognition of mental health as a nationwide issue is poor, and this should be given priority within national and international wellbeing agendas. With growing evidence that mental health illnesses have physical health impacts, it should be spoken about and researched openly. However, it is often still seen as a taboo subject in a nation that’s the current focus is on its crippling economy.
The UK is entrapped in a political whirlwind and at the height of its instability with the previous PM Liz Truss, resigning just seven weeks after she came into office. There is now a call for the new prime minister Rishi Sunak to place mental health as a pivotal concern for the wellbeing impacts caused by the cost of living crisis. Providing adequate support and highlighted pathways for support to those on the lowest incomes who are most inclined to suffer mental health illness due to money troubles (Health Foundation, 2022)
This calls for a collaborative initiative from the government and mental health NGOs, to combine skills, increase funding and spread awareness of the support available to the UK population in this troubling time. The support must be inclusive, adaptable and open to tackle this growing issue.
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References
Dramatic Recovery (2022) https://www.dramaticrecovery.co.uk/blog-1
Mind (2022) New research from Co-op and mental health charities Mind, SAMH (Scottish Association for Mental Health) and Inspire has revealed that over a fifth (22%) of people are seeing their support network less and a quarter (24%) expect that this will soon be the case, because of the cost-of-living crisis.
Grace Beverly (2022) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wRj2nuUYOUY
Female Invest ( 2022) Cost of living Crisis https://femaleinvest.com/attend/cost-of-living-november-2nd-2022
Health Foundation (2022) The cost-of-living crisis is a health emergency too. https://www.health.org.uk/news-and-comment/blogs/the-cost-of-living-crisis-is-a-health-emergency-too
Statista ( 2022) https://www.statista.com/statistics/1317058/uk-core-inflation-rate/