According to the Mind website, the mental health of nearly 8 in 10 Britons* has been affected by the cost-of-living crisis - but why is this?

There is no dispute that with financial problems comes stress - with the inflation rate rising to 10.4%** in February, this is evident now more than ever. Everyone appears to be in a collective state of stress and panic due to the inflation making it harder for them to purchase the goods they need to live off of. Even more alarmingly, roughly a fifth* of Britons are reporting that the cost-of-living crisis is decreasing the time that they put aside to talk about their mental health and wellbeing, and nearly a half* of people say that the reason why they do not talk about their mental wellbeing during this time is because they understand that everyone is struggling at the moment and they do not want to burden others. This feeling of becoming a burden seems to be driven from pure politeness to others: if people are also struggling, then many think that it would be rude to voice their own struggles and worries in the face of that.

However, this is not the case.

Talking about your worries and stresses is proven to make them feel better, and while this is generally regarded as a given, it is not always practiced, and, arguably if it were, it would reduce the stress that the country feels due to rising inflation.

Although, it is not that simple.

In the UK, 115 people*** commit suicide every week, and this has likely been exacerbated by the cost-of living crisis. As people cannot afford to live, many choose not to, and that is the harsh reality of the crisis.

While it is perfectly acceptable to say that talking about one's mental health will make them better, and doing so at a time like this will make everyone feel better off, it is simply not always practical with the sheer amount of deaths every week as a result of suicide.

Talking can work as suicide prevention, but actions are more important than words: being there for others financially when you can afford to, and sharing facilities might have to be the new normal under the cost-of-living crisis. By working together, people can try and make each other feel better, but it is very important to note that many will remain depressed and upset with this crisis looming in the background of their lives.

It is clear that the cost-of-living crisis has made us weaker as a country, by lowering affordability as well as mood. However, those who are financially stable at this time have an important duty to care and provide for those who are not, as that will make the country much more unified than a simple conversation.

 

*Statistics retrieved from the Mind website.

**Statistics retrieved from Parliament website.

***Statistics retrieved from Champion Health website.