Summary
Poverty is when a person or family does not have enough money or resources to meet their basic needs or fully take part in everyday life. This can include being unable to afford food, heating, clothing, housing, transport, education, healthcare, or activities. Poverty does not look the same for everyone. Someone might have enough money for some essentials but still struggle to afford other necessities, while another person may struggle to meet even their most basic needs.
Poverty can affect people of all ages and backgrounds. It can happen for many different reasons, including unemployment, low wages, insecure work, rising living costs, changes in family circumstances, relationship breakdown, caring responsibilities, illness or disability, housing problems or unexpected financial difficulties. Sometimes several of these difficulties happen at the same time, making it even harder for someone to manage.
For children and young people, financial difficulties within the family can affect many parts of everyday life. You might worry about whether there will be enough food at home, whether the heating can be turned on, having the right clothes or school equipment, getting to school or being able to take part in activities with friends. You might miss out on trips, hobbies, birthdays or social activities because they cost money. You may also notice that your family is under financial pressure and feel worried about how this is affecting the people you care about.
Living with financial insecurity can create ongoing stress and uncertainty. It can be difficult to relax when you are constantly thinking about money or worrying about what might happen next. You might spend a lot of time thinking about bills, food, housing, debt or whether your family will be able to afford something you need. Having to make difficult choices about money can be exhausting and can leave you feeling overwhelmed.
Poverty can affect mental health in different ways. You might experience anxiety, stress, low mood, sadness, anger, frustration, loneliness, hopelessness, shame or low self-esteem. You may find it harder to sleep, concentrate at school or work, enjoy things you normally like or feel motivated to do everyday tasks. Financial stress can also make existing mental health difficulties feel harder to manage.
Poverty can affect your sense of safety and stability. If you are worried about losing your home, moving frequently, not having enough food or not knowing whether there will be enough money for essential things, it can be difficult to feel secure. Constant uncertainty can keep your body and mind in a state of stress, particularly when there is little opportunity to take a break from the situation.
Financial difficulties can also affect relationships and family life. Money worries can increase tension and arguments within families or relationships. Parents and carers may themselves be stressed or worried, which can sometimes affect how they communicate with other people. If you are a young person, you might feel responsible for helping your family or worry about things that are not your responsibility to solve.
You may also compare yourself with other people. Seeing friends with new clothes, phones, holidays, cars, hobbies or other things you cannot afford can leave you feeling left out, embarrassed or different. Social media can make this particularly difficult because people often share the things they have without showing the financial circumstances behind them. What you see online is not a complete picture of somebody else’s life.
There can also be stigma around poverty. Some people wrongly assume that someone experiencing poverty is lazy, irresponsible or has simply made bad choices. These stereotypes are not fair or accurate. Financial difficulties can happen for many reasons, and circumstances can change quickly. Having less money does not make you less worthy, less capable or less deserving of opportunities and support.
You might feel embarrassed about telling friends, teachers or other people that your family is struggling financially. You may worry that people will judge you, treat you differently or think you cannot afford to do things with them. You do not have to share personal financial information with everyone. However, talking to someone you trust can help you access support and reduce the pressure of keeping everything to yourself.
Poverty can sometimes make it harder to access things that could support your mental health. For example, transport, activities, technology, private therapy or other services may cost money. This does not mean that you cannot get support. There are free or low-cost services and community organisations that can provide practical or emotional support, and professionals such as teachers, GPs, social workers and youth workers may be able to help you find what is available.
It is also important to remember that poverty and mental health can affect each other. Financial difficulties can contribute to stress and poor mental health, while mental health difficulties can sometimes make education, employment, managing money or accessing support more difficult. This does not mean that either problem is your fault. It means that sometimes both the practical and emotional sides of a situation need to be supported.
How to help myself
If money worries are affecting your mental health, try to remember that you are not responsible for solving everything on your own. Financial difficulties can be stressful and overwhelming, and it is okay to ask for help. You do not need to wait until things become a crisis before speaking to someone.
Start by talking to someone you trust. This could be a parent or carer, family member, teacher, school or college staff member, youth worker, support worker or another adult you feel comfortable with. You do not have to explain everything at once. Simply saying “I’m worried about money and it is starting to affect how I’m feeling” can be a good place to start.
If you are old enough to manage some of your own money, try to understand what money is coming in and what needs to be paid. Writing down essential costs can make things feel a little more manageable and help you see what support you might need. If money management feels confusing or overwhelming, ask someone you trust to help rather than trying to work everything out alone.
Try to separate things you can control from things you cannot. You may be able to ask for support, find out what financial help is available, plan your spending or talk to someone about housing or employment. You cannot control the cost of living, another person’s financial situation or everything that happens within your family. Focusing on one manageable step at a time can stop everything from feeling like one huge problem.
Look for practical support as well as emotional support. Depending on your circumstances, you may be able to get help with food, housing, benefits, debt, education, transport or employment. A trusted adult, school or college, GP, social worker or advice service can help you find out what support you may be entitled to.
Try not to isolate yourself because of money worries. You do not have to stop seeing friends or enjoying yourself just because you cannot afford the same things as other people. Look for free or low-cost activities, such as going for a walk, visiting a library, playing games, watching a film at home, exercising, listening to music or spending time with people you care about.
Be careful about comparing yourself with other people, particularly online. You might see people posting holidays, new clothes, expensive meals or other things they have bought, but you rarely see the full picture of their finances. Your circumstances do not make you less successful, less interesting or less worthy than anyone else.
Looking after your basic needs can also help when you are under financial stress. Try to maintain a regular sleep routine, eat when you can, get some fresh air and take breaks from thinking about money. These things will not solve financial difficulties, but they can help your mind and body cope with ongoing stress.
If you find yourself constantly worrying about money, feeling hopeless, struggling to sleep, withdrawing from others or losing interest in things you normally enjoy, talk to someone about how you are feeling. A GP, school or college wellbeing service, counsellor or mental health professional can help you get support.
How to help a loved one
If someone you care about is struggling because of poverty or financial difficulties, one of the most helpful things you can do is listen without judgement. Money can be a difficult and embarrassing subject, and they may worry that other people will blame them or think differently about them. Let them know that they can talk to you without having to explain everything or justify their situation.
Try not to make assumptions about what they need. Ask them what would be helpful and give them space to decide what they are comfortable with. They might want someone to listen, practical help with finding information, help with a specific task, or simply some time away from thinking about money. You do not have to solve their financial situation to support them.
You can offer practical support where appropriate. This might include helping them find information about benefits, housing, food support, employment, education or local services. If they are comfortable, you could help them organise paperwork, make a phone call, complete a form or find an organisation that can provide specialist advice.
Be mindful of how you talk about money. Avoid comments that could make someone feel blamed or ashamed, such as telling them they should simply “spend less” or “work harder”. Financial difficulties can happen for many reasons and are not necessarily within someone’s control. Instead, focus on what support is available and what might make things more manageable.
Try to help them stay connected with other people and activities they enjoy. Someone experiencing poverty may withdraw from friends because they cannot afford to go out or may feel embarrassed about their circumstances. Look for free or low-cost things you can do together, such as going for a walk, watching a film at home, cooking together, visiting a library or spending time outdoors.
Pay attention to their mental health as well as their financial situation. Ongoing money worries can contribute to anxiety, low mood, stress, sleep difficulties, irritability and feeling hopeless. If you notice that they are struggling significantly, gently encourage them to speak to someone they trust, a GP, school or college wellbeing service, counsellor or mental health professional.
If they are in immediate difficulty with essentials such as food, housing or safety, help them access appropriate practical support rather than trying to manage the situation yourself. A trusted adult, school or college, social worker, advice service or relevant support organisation may be able to help.
Remember that support does not always mean giving someone money. Listening, spending time together, helping them find information and reminding them that they are not alone can all make a difference.
Myth Buster
Myth: “People are in poverty because they are lazy.”
Truth: Poverty can happen for many reasons, including low wages, unemployment, insecure work, rising living costs, caring responsibilities, illness, disability, housing difficulties and changes in family circumstances. Being in poverty does not mean someone is lazy or unwilling to work.
Myth: “If you just budget better, you won’t be poor.”
Truth: Budgeting can sometimes help someone manage their money, but it cannot solve every financial difficulty. If someone does not have enough money to cover their essential costs, there may simply not be enough money to budget. Wider circumstances, such as housing costs, income, debt and the cost of living, can all affect someone’s financial situation.
Myth: “Everyone has the same opportunities to earn money.”
Truth: People have different circumstances, opportunities and barriers. Access to education, employment, transport, housing, health, childcare and other resources can all affect someone’s financial situation. Having fewer opportunities does not mean someone is not trying.
Myth: “If someone is struggling financially, they should just get a job.”
Truth: Having a job does not always mean someone will have enough money to meet their needs. People may be working but still struggling because of low wages, insecure hours or high living costs. Some people may also face barriers to employment or be unable to work because of their circumstances.
Myth: “Poverty only means being homeless or having no money at all.”
Truth: Poverty exists on a spectrum and can look different for different people. Someone may have somewhere to live and still struggle to afford food, heating, transport, clothing, school costs or activities. Financial difficulties are not always visible to other people.
Myth: “You can always tell when someone is living in poverty.”
Truth: Poverty is not always obvious. Someone may look well-dressed, attend school or work and appear to be coping while privately worrying about money, food, housing or bills. You cannot know someone’s financial situation simply by looking at them.
Myth: “People should be embarrassed if they need financial support.”
Truth: Needing support does not mean someone has failed. Many people experience financial difficulties at different points in their lives, and asking for help can be an important and responsible step. Everyone deserves access to the support they need.
Myth: “Talking about money problems will make things worse.”
Truth: Money can feel difficult or embarrassing to talk about, but keeping financial worries to yourself can make them feel even more overwhelming. Speaking to someone you trust can help you access practical support and feel less alone.
Myth: “Poverty only affects someone’s finances.”
Truth: Financial difficulties can affect many areas of life, including relationships, education, housing, physical health and mental health. Constant uncertainty about money can contribute to stress, anxiety, low mood, loneliness and feeling hopeless.
Myth: “Mental health problems caused by poverty are just about not coping well.”
Truth: Living with ongoing financial stress can place a significant amount of pressure on someone’s mental health. Feeling anxious, overwhelmed or low in difficult circumstances does not mean someone is weak. Mental health difficulties can be a response to the pressures someone is experiencing.
Myth: “Children and young people don’t need to worry about poverty because adults deal with money.”
Truth: Young people can be affected by financial difficulties in their family, even when they are not responsible for the family’s finances. They may notice stress at home, miss out on activities, worry about food or housing, or feel different from their friends. These worries can have a real impact on their wellbeing.
Myth: “If your friends have more money than you, they are doing better than you.”
Truth: Money does not determine someone’s worth, abilities or future. People have different circumstances and opportunities, and social media often shows only the things people want others to see. Your financial situation does not make you less important or less deserving than anyone else.
Support
If money worries are affecting your mental health, you do not have to deal with them alone. Support can include both practical help with your financial situation and emotional support for how you are feeling.
A trusted adult, such as a parent or carer, family member, teacher, youth worker or another adult you feel comfortable with, can help you talk through what is happening. If you are worried about your family’s finances, you can ask for help even if you are not responsible for managing the money yourself.
Your school, college or university may also be able to offer support. This could include pastoral or wellbeing support, help with free school meals, travel costs, equipment, bursaries, hardship funds or connecting you with other services.
For practical advice about money, Citizens Advice can provide information about benefits, debt, housing, employment and other financial difficulties. National Careers Service can provide advice around education, training and employment if money worries are connected to finding work or planning your future.
If you are worried about food, housing or homelessness, specialist organisations may be able to provide practical support. You do not need to wait until you have nowhere to live or have completely run out of money before asking for help.
If financial difficulties are affecting your mental health, you can also speak to your GP, school or college wellbeing service, counsellor or mental health professional. They can support you with things such as anxiety, low mood, stress or feeling overwhelmed.
Some charities and community organisations provide free or low-cost food, clothing, activities, advice and other practical support. A trusted adult or professional can help you find out what is available in your local area.
If you are supporting someone else who is struggling financially, remember that you do not have to solve their financial problems yourself. You can listen, help them find information and encourage them to access appropriate support.
Most importantly, asking for financial or emotional support is nothing to be ashamed of. Money difficulties can happen for many reasons, and getting help is a positive step towards making things more manageable.
Therapy interventions
Living with poverty or ongoing financial stress can have a significant impact on your mental health. You might experience anxiety, low mood, stress, shame, low self-esteem, loneliness or feelings of hopelessness. Therapy can provide a safe and supportive space to talk about how these experiences are affecting you, develop coping strategies and find ways to manage difficult thoughts and emotions.
Therapy cannot solve poverty or remove financial difficulties, and you should not be made to feel that your mental health is the problem. Practical support with money, housing, food, education or employment may also be important. Therapy can work alongside this support to help you cope with the emotional impact of what you are experiencing.
The type of support offered will depend on your age, circumstances and what you are struggling with. This may include:
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT): Helps you understand the connection between your thoughts, feelings and behaviours. It can help you identify unhelpful thinking patterns and develop healthier ways of coping with stress and difficult situations.
- Counselling: Provides a safe space to talk about your worries, feelings and experiences with a trained professional. You can explore what is happening in your life and think about what might help.
- Problem-solving approaches: Can help you break overwhelming problems into smaller, manageable steps and identify practical ways of responding to difficulties.
- Stress management: Can help you understand how ongoing stress affects your body and mind and develop strategies such as relaxation, breathing exercises, grounding and healthy routines.
- Emotion regulation and coping skills: Can help you recognise and manage difficult emotions such as anger, anxiety, sadness, shame or feeling overwhelmed.
- Self-esteem and confidence work: Can help you challenge negative beliefs about yourself and recognise your strengths, abilities and achievements, particularly if financial difficulties have affected your confidence.
- Trauma-focused therapy: If poverty has occurred alongside traumatic experiences, such as homelessness, violence or other frightening experiences, trauma-focused approaches may help you process what has happened and reduce its ongoing emotional impact.
You may not need a specific type of therapy, and support will depend on your individual needs. A mental health professional can work with you to decide what would be most helpful.
Helplines
Citizens Advice
Citizens Advice is a charity providing free, confidential advice and support on issues including money, debt, benefits, housing, work, family problems, consumer rights and legal matters.
Website: www.citizensadvice.org.uk
Online chat: 9 am–5 pm, Monday–Friday
Phone (England): 0800 144 8848
Opening times (England): 9 am–5 pm, Monday–Friday; opening times can differ depending on where you live. Lines are closed on weekends and bank holidays.
Phone (Wales): 0800 702 2020
Opening times (Wales): 8am-7pm Monday to Friday and 9am-1pm Saturdays. Lines are closed on weekends and bank holidays.
Turn2us
Turn2us is a charity providing information and practical support for people experiencing financial difficulties. They cover issues including benefits, grants, poverty, money worries, housing costs and financial hardship.
Website: www.turn2us.org.uk
Online support: Benefits Calculator, Grants Search, PIP Helper and Find an Adviser
Shelter
Shelter is a housing and homelessness charity providing information, advice and support for people experiencing homelessness, housing problems, poor living conditions, eviction, rent problems or risk of losing their home.
Phone: 0808 800 4444
Opening times: 8 am–5 pm, Monday–Friday
Website: www.shelter.org.uk
Webchat: 8 am–5 pm, Monday–Friday
Centrepoint
Centrepoint is a youth homelessness charity providing housing advice, accommodation and support for young people experiencing or at risk of homelessness. They cover issues including housing, homelessness, eviction, benefits, employment, family difficulties and becoming independent.
Phone: 0808 800 0661
Opening times: 9 am–5 pm, Monday–Friday
Webchat: 9 am–4:30 pm, Monday–Friday
WhatsApp: 07557 255 965, 9 am–5 pm, Monday–Friday
Website: www.centrepoint.org.uk
Age: 16–25
National Careers Service
The National Careers Service is a government service providing free careers information, advice and guidance. It covers education, training, qualifications, apprenticeships, finding work, changing careers and developing skills.
Phone: 0800 100 900
Opening times: 8 am–10 pm, 7 days a week
Website: www.nationalcareers.service.gov.uk
The Mix
The Mix is a charity providing free information, advice and support for young people on all sorts of issues that can affect their lives and wellbeing. This includes mental health, relationships, money, housing, work and education, drugs and alcohol, bullying, social media, family difficulties and many other challenges. They offer information and practical advice to help young people understand what they are going through, make informed decisions and find further support when they need it.
Phone: 0808 808 4994
Opening times: 11 am–11 pm, 7 days a week
Website: http://www.themix.org.uk
Crisis Messenger: Text THEMIX to 85258 – available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
YoungMinds
YoungMinds is a national charity supporting the mental health and wellbeing of children and young people. They provide information, advice and support for parents and carers who are concerned about a young person’s mental health, and help people understand mental health difficulties, find appropriate support and access useful resources. Their Parents Helpline can provide information, advice, emotional support and signposting to other services.
Parent helpline: 0808 802 5544 (9:30 am – 4 pm on Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays, and from 9:30 am – 6 pm on Tuesdays and Wednesdays)
Email: parents@youngminds.org.uk
Webchat: https://www.youngminds.org.uk/parent/parents-helpline/
Childline
Childline is a free service for young people to talk to a counsellor about anything. The service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Childline is available to anybody who is 18 years old or younger.
Phone: 0800 1111
Opening times: Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year
You can also find helpful resources, speak to a counsellor online or send a message on their site.
Website: www.childline.org.uk
For adults concerned about a child, the NSPCC can be contacted
NSPCC
NSPCC is a children’s charity that works to protect children and prevent abuse and neglect. They provide support and advice for adults about child abuse, neglect, child safety, online safety and children’s mental and emotional wellbeing.
Phone: 0808 800 5000
Opening times: 10 am–4 pm, Monday–Friday
Email: help@nspcc.org.uk
Email opening times: 11 am–4 pm, 7 days a week
Website: www.nspcc.org.uk
Samaritans
Samaritans is a charity providing emotional support to anyone who is struggling to cope or needs someone to talk to. They are there for people experiencing all sorts of difficulties, including stress, anxiety, loneliness, relationship or family problems, bereavement, feeling overwhelmed and concerns about mental health or suicide.
Phone: 116 123
Opening times: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year
Website: www.samaritans.org
Shout
Shout is a free, confidential text messaging service that provides support to anyone who is struggling to cope. It can help with a wide range of issues, including stress, anxiety, low mood, loneliness, relationship difficulties, bullying, self-harm, suicidal thoughts, feeling overwhelmed and other mental health challenges.
Text: SHOUT to 85258
Opening times: Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year
Website: www.giveusashout.org
Mind
Mind is a mental health charity providing information, advice and support for people experiencing mental health difficulties. They cover a wide range of mental health and wellbeing issues, including anxiety, depression, stress, relationships, loneliness, coping with difficult experiences and managing everyday life. Mind provides information to help people understand what they are experiencing, know their rights, find appropriate support and feel less alone.
Phone: 0300 123 3393
Opening times: 9am–6pm, Monday to Friday (excluding bank holidays)
Email: info@mind.org.uk
Website: www.mind.org.uk
Hub of Hope
Hub of Hope is a mental health support database that brings together information about a wide range of mental health services and organisations. It covers support for issues such as anxiety, depression, stress, self-harm, suicidal thoughts, addiction, bereavement and other mental health difficulties.
Website: http://www.hubofhope.co.uk
Opening times: Online service available 24 hours a day
Support For Us 