Can mental health problems stop bailiffs?

Yes. Under the Taking Control of Goods Regulations, enforcement agents (bailiffs) should not take enforcement action if the debtor is clearly vulnerable — including those with mental health conditions. If a bailiff recognises vulnerability, they should stop, return to their office, and report it. In practice, this doesn't always happen, so tell the bailiff about your condition (or have someone do so) and contact a free advice service.

What is the debt and mental health evidence form?

The Debt and Mental Health Evidence Form (DMHEF) is a standardised form that your GP, psychiatrist, CPN, or other mental health professional can complete. It provides evidence of your mental health condition to creditors, who should then consider pausing collections, reducing payments, or writing off debt. Most major creditors accept the DMHEF under the Mental Health Crisis Breathing Space scheme.

Can I get my debts written off due to mental health?

Creditors don't automatically write off debts due to mental health, but many will if the debt is small to moderate and your condition is long-term and severe. Each creditor has their own policy. Providing evidence (DMHEF, medical letters) significantly helps. Even where debts aren't written off, creditors often freeze interest, pause collections, and accept reduced payments.

What is Mental Health Crisis Breathing Space?

Mental Health Crisis Breathing Space is a legal scheme that pauses debt collection for as long as your mental health crisis treatment lasts (plus 30 days). During this time, creditors must stop all enforcement action, contact, and interest. Your mental health professional or an Approved Mental Health Professional (AMHP) can certify you're receiving crisis treatment. It can be extended if treatment continues.

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Debt and Mental Health — Your Rights, Support, and Practical Steps

How debt affects mental health, how mental health affects debt, your legal rights, and practical steps to manage both together in the UK.

By PocketWise · 26 March 2026 · 5 min read

If you're struggling with debt, free confidential help is available from StepChange (0800 138 1111), National Debtline (0808 808 4000), and Citizens Advice.

Debt and mental health are deeply connected. The Money and Mental Health Policy Institute found that people in problem debt are three times more likely to have thought about suicide. If you’re struggling with both, there are legal protections and practical support available.

The Link Between Debt and Mental Health

Direction	What happens
Debt → mental health	Worry, anxiety, depression, sleep problems, relationship strain, suicidal thoughts
Mental health → debt	Difficulty managing money, impulsive spending (mania/hypomania), inability to open post, missing payments, reduced income from being unable to work
Both together	A cycle where each makes the other worse

Key Statistics

Stat	Source
46% of people in problem debt also have a mental health problem	Money and Mental Health Policy Institute
People with mental health problems are 3.5x more likely to be in problem debt	Money and Mental Health Policy Institute
100,000+ people in England attempt suicide while in problem debt each year	University of Bristol
72% of people with mental health problems say their finances make their condition worse	Mind

Your Legal Rights

Breathing Space Scheme

Feature	Standard Breathing Space	Mental Health Crisis Breathing Space
Duration	60 days	Duration of crisis treatment + 30 days
Who can apply	Anyone through a debt adviser	Mental health professional certifies
What it pauses	Collections, enforcement, contact from creditors	Collections, enforcement, contact from creditors
Interest frozen	Yes	Yes
How many times	Once per 12 months	No limit — each crisis qualifies
Applies to	Most debts (not ongoing liabilities like rent)	Most debts

Equality Act 2010

Protection	Detail
Mental health is a protected characteristic	If it substantially affects day-to-day activities
Creditors must make reasonable adjustments	Communication, collections, payment methods
Discrimination is unlawful	Can’t treat you less favourably because of mental health
Examples of adjustments	Written communication only, longer deadlines, single point of contact, simplified statements

FCA Rules for Creditors

Requirement	Detail
Treat vulnerable customers fairly	FCA Consumer Duty and CONC rules
Identify vulnerability	Creditors must have systems to identify mental health issues
Pause collections	Must consider pausing when mental health crisis disclosed
Consider writing off debt	Where recovery would cause further harm
Avoid causing further distress	Excessive calls, threatening letters, etc.

Practical Steps

If You Have Debt and a Mental Health Problem

Step	Action
1	Tell your creditors about your mental health condition
2	Ask your GP or mental health team to complete a DMHEF form
3	Contact a free debt advice service — they’re experienced with mental health
4	Ask about Breathing Space — your debt adviser can apply
5	Request reasonable adjustments — e.g. written contact only
6	Don’t ignore it — it gets easier once you start, even if the first step is hard

If You Can’t Face Opening Post or Making Calls

Problem	Solutions
Can’t open letters	Ask a trusted person to open them with you; stack them — they can wait
Can’t make phone calls	Write an email or online message instead; use webchat services
Can’t face debt advisers	StepChange has an online tool — no phone call needed
Overwhelmed by multiple debts	A debt adviser will deal with creditors on your behalf
Can’t think clearly	Your debt adviser will do the thinking and planning

The Debt and Mental Health Evidence Form (DMHEF)

Detail	Information
What it is	A standardised form providing evidence of mental health conditions to creditors
Who completes it	GP, psychiatrist, CPN, mental health nurse, social worker
Who accepts it	Most major banks, utilities, credit companies, local authorities
What it achieves	Creditors should consider: pausing collections, freezing interest, reducing payments, writing off debt
How to get one	Ask your debt adviser or download from the Royal College of Psychiatrists website
Cost	Your health professional may charge for completing it (typically £0–£50)

What Creditors Should Do

Action	When
Pause collections	During mental health crisis or while evidence is being gathered
Freeze interest and charges	When mental health is impacting ability to manage debt
Accept reduced payments	Based on what you can realistically afford
Consider writing off debt	Where the condition is long-term and recovery unlikely
Single point of contact	Provide one person to deal with
Communicate accessibly	Preferred method of contact, plain language
Stop all enforcement	During Breathing Space period

Support Organisations

Debt Advice (Free)

Organisation	Contact	Best for
StepChange	0800 138 1111 / stepchange.org	Online tool available — no phone call needed
National Debtline	0808 808 4000	Phone advice and fact sheets
Citizens Advice	0800 144 8848	General advice including debt
Christians Against Poverty	capuk.org	Community-based support
Money Helper	0800 138 7777	General money guidance

Mental Health Support

Organisation	Contact	Support type
Samaritans	116 123 (24/7, free)	Emotional support, suicidal feelings
Mind	0300 123 3393 / mind.org.uk	Mental health advice and support
Rethink Mental Illness	0808 801 0525	Support and practical advice
SHOUT	Text “SHOUT” to 85258	Free text-based crisis support
NHS crisis team	Via your GP or A&E	Urgent mental health support

Combined Debt and Mental Health

Organisation	What they offer
Money and Mental Health Policy Institute	Research, tools, and resources
Mental Health & Money Advice	Specialist guidance combining both

For a Trusted Friend or Family Member

How to help	Detail
Offer to help open post	Sit together, take it slowly
Make phone calls on their behalf	With their consent and a letter of authority
Help them access advice	Go with them or help them use online tools
Don’t judge	Debt can happen to anyone, especially during a mental health crisis
Encourage professional help	Both debt advice and mental health support
Know the crisis numbers	Samaritans: 116 123, SHOUT: text 85258

Summary

Key point	Detail
Debt and mental health are closely linked	Each makes the other worse
You have legal protections	Breathing Space, Equality Act, FCA rules
Tell creditors about your condition	They must take it into account
DMHEF form	Medical evidence that creditors must consider
Mental Health Crisis Breathing Space	Pauses all collections during crisis treatment
Free advice	StepChange (online tool), National Debtline, Citizens Advice
In crisis	Samaritans: 116 123 (24/7, free)