Government aims to boost take-up of mental health crisis breathing space

The government is taking steps to encourage more people with mental health problems seek debt support.

Mental Health Crisis Breathing Space (MHCBS) is a scheme that temporarily freezes interest, fees and charges on debts for people getting mental health crisis treatment.

During this time, the person who owes money can get help to deal with their debts and they can’t be contacted by creditors.

However, the take-up of MHCBS has been quite low so far.

In fact, according to the Money and Mental Health Policy Institute, just 3,302 people accessed the scheme in its first 32 months.

That’s well below the number the Treasury had been expecting.

“The MHCBS mechanism has been woefully underutilised,” the Money and Mental Health Policy Institute said.

However, mental health minister Baroness Merron has said the government is committed to tackling this problem.

She confirmed an “explicit requirement” to offer breathing space will be included in the code of practice associated with the mental health act.

The Money and Mental Health Policy Institute, which had lobbied for MHCBS to be automatically offered to more people, has hailed the comments as “good news”.

Who qualifies for mental health crisis breathing space?

To qualify for MHCBS, you must be either:

• receiving acute, emergency or crisis care from a specialist service for a serious mental health disorder
• detained under the mental health act (commonly known as sectioned)
• removed to a safe space under the mental health act

How do I apply?

An approved mental health professional (AMHP) will need to help with the application. 

It lasts while you’re in treatment plus 30 days.

You can find an AMHP by talking to:

• your local community mental health team
• the healthcare professional you usually deal with
• the AMHP team at your council’s adult social services department

The AMHP will fill in an evidence form to confirm you’re receiving crisis mental health treatment.

In England, the form should be submitted to Mental Health & Money Advice.

In Wales, the form should be submitted to Citizens Advice.