is a project to improve mental health wellbeing and reduce isolation; support as well as address need of young people from BAME communities who are vulnerable from going into exploitation criminality, anti-social behaviour, violence and stabbings at this ongoing increase in prices combined with the decline of household incomes. Cost of living crisis impact is felt across the UK, but mostly affect the poorest members of society who have experienced financial consequences with outstretched coping strategies in making agonising choices like between heating and eating. COST OF LIVING CRISIS AROSE FROM PANDEMIC! YOU ARE NOT ALONE! IS A PUBLIC HEALTH   CRISIS

RAP gather vital information on the challenges faced by individuals and communities by tackling grassroots through personalised advice and information provision; support to improve their self esteem and financial resilience; develop confidence, problem solving skills to enhance physical, emotional and mental wellbeing of local community; building strong relationships, raising awareness with an understanding of how mental health illness impact communities’ lives; breaking circle of mental health stereotype in the community through advise information and education

Many are going through cost of living crisis without realising the impact  mental health have on their ability to manage money, or impact poor money management has triggered mental health of anxiety and panic, like

·        Opening envelopes or attendance of benefits assessment.

·        Worrying about money leading to sleep problems.

·        Not able to afford things as housing, food, water, heating, or treatments like medication and therapy needed to stay well

Avoid short term little pleasures that make you feel great in the moment, but leads to intense feelings of guilt, shame and annoyance the next day.

Resilience Wellbeing Impact from overspending:

1)    Confide in a family member, friend, colleague, or therapist/ counsellor/ adviser about the warning signs of overspending, or signs you’re struggling with your mental health.

2)    Give your cards to someone you trust or put them somewhere difficult to access. Nor save your card details into websites.

3)    Delete apps which encourage spending.

4)    Limit how much time you spend on adverts and social media

5)    Delay purchasing power.

6)    Invent a distraction mechanism that makes you feel good.

7)    Consider telling your bank to add a note to your file that you have a mental health problem in order to look out for unusual spending.

8)    Someone’s social life and relationships can be affected by financial crisis.

9)    Resist feeling lonely or isolated,

Resilience Wellbeing Impact is to make a difference, by bringing individuals to a safe place to reduce risk of loneliness, emotional breakdown, developing their self worth, to take control of their lives. With a view of early intervention for those at risk of developing serious mental health issues and introducing crisis preventive measures for those who are in recovery but are at risk of regressing.

We are here to exploit all options focusing on practical action based approaches to breaking mental health barriers that prevent people getting help to become resilient, whilst maintaining total wellbeing; thereby

·        tackling depression

·        developing coping mechanism to improve wellbeing

·        build resilience

·        Supporting young people, abused survivors transitioning and integrating into the wider community ..

Effects of Cost of living crisis outbreak can be:

•        Fear and worry about one’s own health and that of loved ones

•        Financial situation of not enough or none or job loss

•        Loss of support services you rely on.

•        Changes in sleep or eating patterns.

•        Difficulty sleeping or concentrating.

•        Worsening of chronic health problems/ mental health conditions

•        Fear of losing your home 

People who may respond more strongly to the stress of a crisis as Cost of living crisis include those who have experienced domestic violence, child abuse, bullying, or sexual violence because

·        They are known to have feelings of isolation, depression, anxiety, and other emotional or financial stress risk leading to suicidal thoughts or suicide.

·        It can be particularly overwhelming when stress is connected to a traumatic event

·         Immediate helpers are Parents and educators, who can provide  stability and support to help young people feel better.

RAP use of holistic approach to community needs in relations to mental health issues as end product from crime in young people and their families by identifying  

·        How inflation has led to high rise of depression

·        How unexpected incidents of Suicide and untimely death of school/work colleagues, family members, friends, child’s school mates, and neighbours; with no one noticing any signs of depression in them and ultimately shocking those around them with their actions.

·        The need for counselling and guidance support for low income, young people and families to tackle financial difficulties and structural inequalities that lead to mental health issues

·        How at this time of cost of living crisis to build resilience in individuals to develop and improve their health and well being of both mental and physical.

Impact of Cost of living crisis on young people’s Mental Health

Worrying about not having enough and going without essentials is been evidenced to highly impact poor mental health in young people of all ages. Prevalence of mental health issues amongst young people affects their

·         Education – cause of absent from school

·         Employment - main barrier for not going to work

·         Unhealthy alternatives of food options due to limited family financial resources leads to long term health penalty.

·         Ineligibility criteria for free school meals despite living in food poverty.

·         Financial realities disregarded by Lower Universal Credit eligibility

·         Not able to afford replace faulty mobile phones and access technology to access information on support services as organisations  have moved online even universal credit penalises them by reducing their benefit when they do not respond to their online journal requests.

Ways to protect against suicidal thoughts and behaviours during this cost of living crisis

•        Support from family

•        Community support

•        Feeling connected to others

•        Reach out to colleagues/friends online, through social media, video chat, or by phone. 

•        Having access to in-person or virtual counselling or therapy can help with suicidal thoughts and behaviour

 Seek help - Be honest to self /loved ones/work colleagues  - tackle - take back control - act rationally -   Stay confident - regain power ..

   We are here to help - Contact us here at RAP  as our journey is to overcome this crisis together..

 " Do not be ashamed - asking for help is not weakness ,  its an  overcomer's strength to take back control  and avoid stress levels / burnout"