EXPERTS have said people struggling financially are more likely to have suicidal thoughts.

Health services manager at Swindon Women’s Aid Zoey Pether said: “Often victims of financial abuse are placed into debt due to being forced to take out loans, credit cards, overdrafts, phone contracts and other financial agreements, leaving them in debt and often unable to see a way out.

“This impacts people’s mental health and wellbeing and can lead to suicidal thoughts.”

She added: “Financial abuse takes many forms, often victims are not allowed to work or have access to family income which makes leaving harder, it can also lead to them returning to the abusive relationship because of financial dependence on their abuser. “

More than 50 per cent of all SWA service users disclosed that they were experiencing financial abuse and 33.3 per cent were experiencing mental health issues.

Samaritans director in Swindon Darren Tee said:“The latest campaign is to raise awareness in Swindon, focusing on debts and money trouble, and that is the leading causes of suicides.

Coun Brian Ford, Swindon borough council’s cabinet member for adults and health, and the council’s mental health champion, said: “It is just as important that we look after our mental health as much as we do our physical health.

“Debt and money worries can have an effect on people’s mental health, but there’s plenty of support available in Swindon, and the series of activities next week will highlight some of these.”