Table 4 Implications for policy

Locally

• Local authorities should regularly update information on the sources of advice available for those experiencing economic hardship in the area, providing all sectors with regularly revised updates of paper or web-based summaries of these

• Practical help could be made available to help people decipher official information and guiding them to voluntary/statutory sector agencies

• Employers making redundancies could pass on information on local support agencies to at-risk employees.

Nationally

• Written communications from DWP/Job Centres could involve service users proof reading the text to make it more understandable

• Strategies to address the mental health impacts of recession and debt need to appreciate men’s (and some women’s) unwillingness to talk about problems and seek help

• Increase resources to statutory and non-statutory organisation providing help for people affected by economic downturns including training front line staff in recognising and responding to emotional distress due to financial concerns.

• Mental Health First Aid training could be given to all front-line staff

• Clinicians may also benefit from training in recognising financial and employment issues and referring on to the best support.