If you are struggling

If debt is affecting your mental health, you are not alone, and you can talk to someone right now. If you or someone else is in danger, call 999. If you need to talk, Samaritans answers 116 123 free, 24 hours a day, and in Scotland Breathing Space is on 0800 83 85 87 on weekday evenings and through the weekend.

Who can I talk to right now?

You do not need to be in crisis to call any of these services. They are there if you feel overwhelmed, low or unable to cope.

Breathing Space is a free, confidential listening service for people aged 16 and over in Scotland who are feeling low, stressed or anxious. NHS 24 says you do not have to give your name unless you want to.

NHS 24’s 111 service connects you to its Mental Health Hub when you choose the mental health option. You speak to trained practitioners who can offer support and put you in touch with other services.

How are money and mental health linked?

Money problems and mental health problems often feed each other, and each can make the other harder to deal with. You do not have to sort out your debts before you look after yourself.

The Money and Mental Health Policy Institute, a research charity working to break the link between money problems and mental health problems, keeps a list of organisations that help with both. It includes a free guide for people struggling with their finances and a mental health problem.

You do not have to make any decision about your debts while you are in crisis. If creditors are taking action, the moratorium on diligence described below can give you time while you get advice.

Can I tell an adviser about my mental health?

Yes, if you want to. It is your choice, and it can make a real difference to how you are treated. Our enquiry form does not ask about your health. If you speak to an adviser, you can tell them on the call.

Insolvency practitioners. The professional rules for insolvency practitioners handling trust deeds, Statement of Insolvency Practice 3.3, say:

• their assessment should consider whether anything makes you vulnerable, what adjustments you need, and, with your consent, record what you tell them
• they should always offer you a meeting, and consider whether meeting in person or by video would help you
• if you ask, they should send you a summary of your discussions

Lenders and other regulated firms. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) expects the firms it regulates to treat customers in vulnerable circumstances fairly. Its guidance says firms should make it easy for you to tell them about your needs, respond flexibly, and tell you about support available, including letting someone else represent you.

Things you can ask for include:

• more time to think, or to read documents
• calls at a time that suits you, or contact in writing instead
• a summary of what was said, in writing
• a friend, family member or support worker to be with you, or to speak for you

If you are thinking about a trust deed, the law gives you time to think. Before you sign, the insolvency practitioner must give you information documents and adequate time to consider them, which guidance from the Accountant in Bankruptcy says is at least 3 calendar days. You can take longer, and you can say no. See before you sign a trust deed.

The Accountant in Bankruptcy’s key facts document for trust deeds also reminds people to include costs for disabilities or caring for others in their budget.

Is there a mental health moratorium in Scotland?

Not yet. The Bankruptcy and Diligence (Scotland) Act 2024 gives Scottish Ministers the power to create a Mental Health Moratorium, which would pause debt recovery action for people with serious mental health difficulties. However:

• the sections of the Act that would set it up are not in force
• the Scottish Government consulted on draft regulations in December 2024 and published a summary of responses in July 2025
• the Accountant in Bankruptcy says those sections will be brought into force when the regulations are ready, and that more work is needed to reach agreement on areas such as who would be eligible

So, as at September 2026, there is no mental health moratorium you can apply for in Scotland.

What you can use now is the moratorium on diligence. It gives you 6 months’ protection from creditors taking enforcement action (diligence, such as arresting your wages or bank account) while you get advice. It does not freeze interest. You can apply yourself or through a money adviser. Read about the Scottish moratorium on diligence.

What other practical help is there?

• Free debt advice. Free, impartial services such as Citizens Advice Scotland (0800 028 1456) and Advice Direct Scotland (0808 196 2316) can help with your debts at your own pace. See free debt advice in Scotland for more services and opening hours.
• Emergency money. The Scottish Welfare Fund offers Crisis Grants for unexpected emergencies, such as losing your job, and Community Care Grants. You apply through your local council, and you do not pay the grants back.
• Your safety. If you have a trust deed or are made bankrupt, your details are normally published on the public Register of Insolvencies. They can be withheld where publishing them would put someone at risk of violence. Tell the adviser if this applies to you.
• Already in a trust deed? If your health has changed, tell your trustee. Payments can be reviewed, and in some cases a trustee can seek early discharge. See if your circumstances change.

If you are worried about someone else, Breathing Space has information for people in your position, and you can call Samaritans about anything that is troubling you.

Official sources

• NHS 24: Mental health services at NHS 24
• Breathing Space
• Accountant in Bankruptcy: the Bankruptcy and Diligence (Scotland) Act 2024 and its commencement
• FCA: Guidance for firms on the fair treatment of vulnerable customers (FG21/1)
• mygov.scot: Scottish Welfare Fund