Challenges, wellbeing and additional support

We understand that there may be times when you need additional support, whether your circumstances are temporary or permanent. At Equals Money, we want to make sure we are here to support you. Telling us about challenges or health and wellbeing concerns might relieve some stress and if you decide to speak with us, we’re here for you and will work with you to see how best we can support you. Alternatively, you’ll find some resources below that might be helpful.

Mental Health

Mental health can affect you in many ways and can lead to feelings of stress, anxiety or low mood. This can also be impacted by things such as financial worries or debt. Some signs you may be struggling with your mental health in relation to these might include:
✓
Feeling anxious about checking your account balance or statements
✓
Feelings of fear surrounding opening bills or checking important letters
✓
Feelings of hopelessness and being unable to manage money
✓
Lack of confidence to contact a bank or financial service provider
✓
Overspending and feeling guilty after spending
✓
Struggling to fall or stay asleep due to money worries

Getting help

If you feel your financial worries are impacting your mental health, you can get help from various mental health charities, organisations, and support groups who will provide support and advice. Alternatively, you can visit our emergencies section for further information if you need immediate support.

Anxiety UK

Provides support, information, and resources for individuals with anxiety disorders, including a helpline and therapy services.

Contact Details

Tel: 03444 775 774 (9:30am-5:30pm, Mon-Fri)

Text Service: 07537 416 905

Email: support@anxietyuk.org.uk

Website: www.anxietyuk.org.uk

No Panic

Provides support, information, and resources for individuals with anxiety disorders, including a helpline and therapy services.

Contact Details

Tel: 0300 7729844 (10am-10pm, 365 days per year)

24h Crisis Line: 01952 680835

Email: info@nopanic.org.uk

Website: www.nopanic.org.uk

Mental Health UK

Provides support to people affected by mental health problems across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Contact Details

Email: info@mentalhealth-uk.org

Website: www.mentalhealth-uk.org

Mind

Provides information, support, and campaigns for better mental health.

Contact Details

Tel: 0300 123 3393 (9am-6pm, Mon-Fri)

Email: info@mind.org.uk

Website: www.mind.org.uk

Rethink Mental Illness

Provides practical advice and information on various topics related to mental health, including the Mental Health Act, social care, welfare benefits, carers' rights, medication, and more.

Contact Details

Tel: 0808 801 0525 (9:30am-4pm, Mon-Fri)

Webchat: (10am-1pm, Mon-Fri)

Website: www.rethink.org

Email: advice@rethink.org

Fraud and scams

Fraudsters and scammers are becoming more clever in how they operate. As the world and technology evolve, the techniques criminals use do too. At Equals Money we do everything we can to try and help prevent this. For further information please visit our fraud and scams awareness information page.

Getting help

If you have been the victim of fraud or a scam, you can get help from various charities, organisations, and support groups who will provide support and advice.

Action Fraud

Action Fraud is the UK’s national reporting centre for fraud and cyber crime where you should report fraud if you have been scammed, defrauded or experienced cyber crime.

Contact Details

Tel: 0300 123 2040 (open 7 days a week, 8am to 8pm *Opening times may vary for different specialist teams).

Textphone (if you have speech or hearing difficulties): 0300 123 2050

Website: www.actionfraud.police.uk

Met Police

To help people avoid becoming a victim of online crime the Met Police have created the “little series of books and videos” to explain some of the most common scams and give advice on how to avoid falling victim to them.

Contact Details

Website: www.met.police.uk/littlemedia

Citizens Advice Bureau

Citizens Advice is a charity which provides free and impartial advice on various matters including benefits, work, family, disputes, fraud etc.

Contact Details

Tel: England- 0800 144 8848, Wales- 0800 702 2020

Website: https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk

Victim Support

Provides help and support after a crime. It is independent, free and confidential.

Contact Details

Tel: 08 08 16 89 111

Live Chat facility available

Website: https://www.victimsupport.org.uk

Bereavement

Losing someone you care about is never easy, and taking care of practical and financial matters on top of that can be overwhelming. We're here to help make things a little easier for you during this tough time.

Getting help

If you need support following the loss of a loved one, you can get help from various charities, organisations, and support groups who will provide support and advice.

Bereavement Advice Centre

Offers information and support for people dealing with bereavement.

Contact Details

Tel: 0800 634 9494

Email: advice@bereavementadvice.org

Website: www.bereavementadvice.org

Child Bereavement UK

Provides support for families and professionals dealing with child bereavement.

Contact Details

Tel: 0800 02 888 40

Email: helpline@childbereavementuk.org

Website: www.childbereavementuk.org

Cruse Bereavement Care

Offers bereavement support through helpline, local services, and online resources.

Contact Details

Tel: 0808 808 1677 (9:30am-5pm, Mon-Fri; 10am-2pm, Sat & Sun)

Email: helpline@cruse.org.uk

Website: www.cruse.org.uk

Abuse

Abuse can happen in many forms such as, (but not limited to), physical, verbal, sexual or emotional. Financial abuse is a form of abuse which involves controlling a person's ability to acquire and manage their own money and is also a way of having power over them. Its main goal is to reinforce or create financial instability in relationships by controlling spending or access to cash, assets and finances. It’s a pattern of threatening and degrading behaviour that restricts a victim’s financial freedom and can leave victims feeling isolated, trapped and lacking in confidence.

Financial abuse can take various forms and can happen to anyone of any age. Examples of the types of financial abuse could be financial control, exploitation, or manipulation. It can also occur in various relationships, including partners/ex-partners, family members, friends, or carers.

Getting help

You can get help from various charities, organisations, and support groups who will provide support and advice.

If you or those around you are in immediate danger, call the police on 999. If you are in a situation where you are unable to speak, dial 999 followed by ‘55’ after the call is answered to indicate you need help and your call will be transferred to the police.

Refuge

Refuge supports women and children affected by domestic abuse, offering a range of services such as emergency accommodation, helpline, and advocacy.

Contact Details

Tel: 0808 2000 247 (available 24/7 365 days per year)

Email: info@refuge.org.uk

Website: www.refuge.org.uk

Survivors UK

Survivors UK provides support to male survivors of sexual assault or abuse, offering therapy, counselling, and an online helpline.

Contact Details

Tel: 020 3322 1860 (12pm-8pm, 7 days a week)

Email: info@survivorsuk.org

Website: www.survivorsuk.org

Women’s Aid

Women's Aid supports women and children experiencing domestic abuse, providing refuge, helpline, and other services to help them escape and recover.

Contact Details

Tel: 0808 2000 247 (National Domestic Abuse Helpline available 24/7 365 days per year)

Email: helpline@womensaid.org.uk

Website: www.womensaid.org.uk

Men’s Advice Line

Supports male victims of domestic abuse. Offering emotional support to men who experience abuse, and signpost to other vital services that help men keep themselves (and their children) safe.

Contact Details

Tel: 0808 8010 327 (10am-5pm, Mon - Fri)

Email: info@mensadviceline.org.uk

Website: www.mensadviceline.org.uk

Galop

Support for LGBT+ victims and survivors of abuse and violence including domestic, emotional and financial abuse.

Contact Details

Tel: 0800 999 5428

Email: help@galop.org.uk

Website: www.galop.org.uk

Gambling

Gambling is an activity where an individual risks money or belongings and it comes in a variety of forms — whether it’s playing in the lottery, roulette, a gaming machine, using an online casino, or betting on your favourite sports team.

Whilst gambling itself doesn’t have physical symptoms, its negative effects can impact many areas of life such as in terms of career, financial issues, reduced quality of life, relationship problems or conflict as well as other things. Gambling might become a problem when you lose the ability to stop.

Getting help

If you feel gambling is affecting your life you can get help from charities, organisations, and support groups.

Gamblers Anonymous.org

Gamblers Anonymous is a fellowship of individuals who share their experiences, strengths, and hopes to overcome gambling addiction.

Contact Details

Tel: 0330 094 0322

Email: info@gamblersanonymous.org.uk

Website: www.gamblersanonymous.org.uk

National Gambling Helpline

Operated by GamCare, the National Gambling Helpline provides free and confidential advice, support, and information on problem gambling.

Contact Details

Tel: 0808 8020 133 (available 24/7 365 days per year)

WhatsApp: 020 3031 8881

Email: info@gamcare.org.uk

Website: www.gamcare.org.uk

Money/Debt Worries

Managing your finances can sometimes be difficult and when your circumstances change, this might lead to worries about your money. Acknowledging and admitting when there is a problem can feel difficult but we're here to support you.

Getting help

If you need support with debt or money worries you can get help from charities, organisations, and support groups.

Money Helper

MoneyHelper brings together the support and services of three government-backed financial guidance providers: the Money Advice Service, the Pensions Advisory Service and Pension Wise.

Contact Details

Tel: 0800 138 7777 (8am-6pm, Mon-Fri)

WhatsApp:  +44 77 0134 2744

Website: www.moneyhelper.org.uk

National Debtline

National Debtline advisers are experts in debt advice and their service is always free. They'll give you all the help and support needed to deal with your debts yourself.

Contact Details

Tel: 0808 808 4000 (9am-8pm, Mon-Fri; 9:30am-1pm, Saturdays)

Website: www.nationaldebtline.org

Step Change Debt Charity

Everyone should have access to free debt advice. SCDC can help you find a way to deal with your debt and will support you along the way. The debt advice is impartial and confidential.

Contact Details

Tel: 0800 138 1111 (8am-8pm, Mon-Fri; 9:00am-2pm, Saturdays.

Website: www.stepchange.org

Citizens Advice Bureau

Citizens Advice is a charity which provides free and impartial advice on various matters including benefits, work, family, disputes, fraud etc.

Contact Details

Tel: England- 0800 144 8848, Wales- 0800 702 2020

Website: www.citizensadvice.org.uk

Emergencies

Sometimes, situations need immediate support. In these circumstances, your well-being and safety are paramount and it’s important that you seek assistance.

Getting help

If you are experiencing a crisis and need urgent help or support you can get help from charities, organisations, authorities and the support groups below.

Samaritans

For somebody to speak to and to support anyone having a difficult time. Confidential non-judgmental emotional support, 24 hours a day for people who are experiencing feelings of distress, despair or suicide.

Contact Details

Tel: 116 123 (available 24/7 365 days per year)

Email: jo@samaritans.org

Website: www.samaritans.org

SHOUT

Free, confidential, 24/7 text messaging service for anyone struggling to cope.

Contact Details

Tel: 85258 (Text ‘SHOUT’)

Website: www.giveusashout.org

NHS 111

NHS 111 is a free helpline available 24/7 that provides medical advice and guidance for non-emergency health concerns.  Alternatively in an emergency situation please call 999.

Contact Details

Tel: 111 (available 24/7 365 days per year)

Website: www.111.nhs.uk

SANE line

SANEline offers emotional support and information to individuals affected by mental health problems, including those in crisis.

Contact Details

Tel: 0300 304 7000 (4pm-10pm, 365 days a year)

Email: info@sane.org.uk

Website: www.sane.org.uk

Other situations and available support: