Did you know that when out for dinner in a party of four, it’s highly likely one of you will have a mental health condition.

Recent stats from Royal College of Psychiatry tell us:

• One in four people has a mental health problem
• One in four people with a mental health problem is also in debt
• Debt may be a cause and consequence of mental health problems
• One in two adults with debts has a mental health problem

Since working at ClearDebt some three and a half years, I have quickly come to understand the emotional issues connected to money worries; I have witnessed client testimonials sent to us talking about the relief felt when we have been able to help make a difference to someone’s debt and their path to repaying it.

Mental capacity issues and the debt industry

Identifying mental capacity is a key issue for the debt solution industry and for the Office of Fair Trading who recently published their “Mental Health – OFT Guidance for Creditors” paper. The connection between Mental Health and debt has quickly established itself as a matter to be taken seriously and for those talking to people in debt it’s often been a “taboo” subject.

Debt Resolution Forum training on mental health and debt

I and other members of ClearDebt staff attended a pilot training scheme provided by Debt Resolution Forum (DRF) and presented by MIND. The aim of the training was to help us bto be more aware of the mental health conditions people can suffer from and how to communicate best with people in these circumstances to make sure they feel comfortable with the conversations they may be having with us. The training also helped us understand the importance of being able to confirm the caller we are speaking to has the mental capacity to understand the information being discussed and the implications of any solution we explain.

In today’s society, when debt, mental health and well- being are so interlinked, providing the correct debt advice can no longer be enough. It’s vital we’re now also able to connect to the people we’re talking to and to pick up on any other “stresses” in their life which may affect their understanding of what we are saying and to do something with the advice we provide. The way in which we communicate with clients suffering from mental health conditions should be flexible so that processes can be adapted to fit in with their needs.

What I learnt from the training

The mental health training was truly inspirational – a wake up call for those of us who either haven’t yet known someone with a mental health condition or do know someone with a mental health condition but have never taken the time to truly ask or appreciate the affect this may have on them and their life. We understand, as professionals in this industry, the heartbreak and strain money worries can bring to someone – and to their family; I hope the training by DRF is just the beginning of an industry wide change which means that debt advisors have the ability to provide for people with mental health conditions as equally as we would anyone else.

New year, new start! That’s how you might think many people across the UK have started 2012. But it appears, if you think this, you could be wrong.

According to a poll by First Direct, the biggest financial worries of the year in 2011 were not saving enough and not paying off enough debt – that sounds like a catch 22 to me.

Other worries are quoted as spending too much on a partner, lending or borrowing money from family, or, paying for an expensive holiday.

So whilst we enter the early stages of January 2012, I have to ask, what were your biggest worries in 2011 and where do you think 2012 might lead you?

For some, I hope it will lead to being debt free – to being more financially aware and confident in budgeting more effectively. For others, it might mean sleeping easier at night, carrying out the weekly shop without breaking out in a sweat or even finding the courage to stay away from the shops and cut down on the non essential spending.

We’d love to know your “financial new year’s resolutions” so leave a comment and your ideas could inspire others who might not be feeling so positive about their opportunities for 2012. Alternatively you can share your positive thoughts on the ClearDebt facebook wall or via twitter to @cleardebt and @jax76.

We’re giving away a £25 voucher for the most thoughtful comment submitted so share yours now!

The teams at ClearDebt and Abacus took a different approach to this year’s office Secret Santa, read on to find out more!

If where you work is anything like where I work, each Christmas, we all take part in “Secret Santa”. We pick a name out of a hat and buy something for that person – normally a mug, some soap or maybe a hat and gloves. Creative, I know…

But this year, we’ve been working with Rainbow Trust – a charity which offers support to terminally ill children and their families. Bearing in mind the work they do and the people they help, we decided to organise a “Secret Santa” campaign that will actually make a difference to someone – to be exact, 196 someones.

196 gifts from ClearDebt and Abacus

This year, each member of our staff contributed to a fund which raised a total of £400. Rainbow Trust provided us with a list of the age and gender of 196 children who they support in the Greater Manchester area – some of whom are terminally ill and their siblings.

From the details provided, we worked with Tesco Altrincham to source the first 100 gifts; a huge thanks goes out to them and their Community Champion, Lisa. A selected member of the Tesco team designated to help worthy causes in the local area.

We then scoured the local shops in Altrincham for the remaining 96 gifts which were wrapped and labelled for each age and gender, and collected by the Rainbow Trust representatives.

Not only have we provided the gifts for these children but we also agreed to cover the cost of the postage.

It’s at this time of year that I think it’s important to evaluate our contribution to other people’s lives – what we do with our life outside of our everyday routine which makes a difference to others. I’m proud to be a part of this campaign which enables every member of staff at ClearDebt, Abacus and ClearCash to be proud of taking a few coins from their wallets to think of others and help make a difference.

On Christmas morning, families across Greater Manchester saw gifts for their children which arrived without condition or cost. This year, we have in true essence become “Secret Santas” to the children of Rainbow Trust. If you don’t know much about the work of Rainbow Trust, why not tune into the Rainbow Trust Youtube Channel to understand why we chose to get involved.

Whilst families across the country un-wrap gifts on 25th December, I can’t help but wonder how many people will be worrying about the bills to arrive the first week of January.

No matter how hard you budget, Christmas shopping bills add up – and for those who pay on plastic, it’s only natural, whilst enjoying some quality family time over the holidays, for your mind to drift off and let panic set in about the payment demands which will follow in the New Year.

This year we have spent a great deal of time learning about the emotional toll debt can take on someone – so much so, that sometimes, the bills and chasing calls can get too much.

If you are feeling the weight of this burden, we are here to talk to you. They’ll be no pressure and no tactics. That’s not what we’re about. We’ll simply go through the maths with you and talk through the options available – making sure you know you’re not alone and there is help out there for you.

We are closed for the holidays from 1pm on 23rd December but will re-open on 28th, 29th and 30th December. We will be closed on 31st December – 2nd January but we will be open as normal again from Tuesday 3rd January.

You can contact us on 0800 019 2095 or on 0161 968 2030 from a mobile.

If you’re struggling emotionally, you might want to speak to someone who is professionally trained to help you cope with this pressure. Sometimes, just talking things through can help you see things clearly and feel more supported. Below are some organisations which are able to help throughout the Christmas period:

Samaritans: 08457 90 90 90

Mind: 0300 123 3393

We’re helping to lighten the load this Christmas by giving away £600 in our “12 days of Christmas” promotion.

As the cold, dark evenings begin to set in and the stores sprinkle their aisles with festive décor, it’s only natural that those watching the purse strings begin to twitch with worry about how much the next month is going to cost us.

The gift list can easily spiral out of control no matter how hard you try to cut back, and of course, there’s still Christmas Dinner to think of….and Boxing Day…and New Year’s Eve.

We know how hard it can be at this time of year and so, we have decided to lighten the load a little and try and help out with the costs during this festive time.

This December, we’re giving you, our clients the chance to win £50 a day for the first 12 working days of Christmas. Six IVA and six Debt Management Plan clients will be selected at random to receive a £50 gift voucher for any store of their choice making a total giveaway sum of £600!

This money can help buy the food for Christmas Day, presents for the family or even be used to treat yourself – relieving a great strain on anyone’s shoulders at this time of year.

Look out for counter updates on the ClearDebt homepage showing how much we’ve given away as the total rises between the 1-16 December.

In the meantime, we wish you all a Happy Holidays and a healthy New Year!