health
and wellbeing
Looking after your own health and that of your family can be difficult on a low income; social circumstances can also affect health. Diet, stress and abuse are just three factors which can lead to changes in your circumstances and well-being.
When you are unwell your ability to cope with the simple things in life, let alone the more pressing, can be traumatic and in-turn this can add to your stress. Sometimes more specialist care is needed but you may not know where to turn. Often a visit to your doctor is the best option as they have details and advice on organisations that can help with a variety of health related issues. Like debt, issues which affect your health are best shared with experts and friends or family and not ignored.
Credit Crunch Stressline - 0300 123 2000
Stress brought on through unemployment or fear of unemployment is perfectly normal and during a recession more people suffer from distress, depression and anxiety. Worries mount up about jobs, debt, and housing. By seeking advice and support early on you can prevent more serious problems. Expert advice from them will help you get your life back on track.
The National Health Service (NHS) has set up the Credit Crunch Stressline for people who are worried by the credit crunch. This service supports and links with a range of help already available through the NHS. The Credit Crunch Stressline is staffed by health advisers who will talk to you over the phone and give you the help you need to overcome your difficulties.
The Stressline will
- listen to you
- offer you useful information you can trust
- guide you through your crisis
- help you to get back in control of your life
Who can you turn to?
Support for health issues is also available if you are suffering from physical and mental abuse.
Often if you are suffering any form of abuse you may find it difficult to turn to friends or family, but help is available and you don’t need to feel alone.
What help is available?
Access to counselling support
Services for people experiencing domestic abuse
Domestic abuse is all about power and control. Abusive partners may use control over financial resources (such as money) as one of the ways to try and apply their ‘power’ over others.
Services for people experiencing economic abuse
Economic abuse can take many forms. These can include:
- Preventing you from getting or keeping a job
- Making you ask for money
- Making you account for every penny you spend by showing receipts/giving all change back
- Not allowing you to spend money on yourself or your children
- Spending money allocated to bills/ groceries on themselves
- Controlling your bank account
- Stealing, taking or demanding money from you
- Taking control of any benefits you receive
- Insisting that all the utility bills or any credit is in your name
Who can you call if you are experiencing any of these?
Talk to your housing provider, local Citizens Advice Bureau or Gateway who will be able to offer help and guidance through local support, this may be a helpline or advocate who will be able to support you in the decisions you need to make, or advice on the changes you want to make.
Call the National Domestic Abuse Helpline – 0808 2000 247
Call Rights of Women - 0207 251 6577
Call the Men’s advice line - 0808 801 0327
Call Broken Rainbow (Gay helpline) - 0845 260 4460 or 0300 999 5428
Call the Credit Crunch Stressline - 0300 123 2000
Contact Refuge on www.refuge.org.uk for a copy of 'You can afford to leave' - a financial guide for women and children experiencing domestic abuse.
