Nearly a quarter of people in the South of England have reported feeling depressed due to rising cost of bills, according to new research.
An increasing number of people in the region have reported losing sleep over the rising cost of living, as well as experiencing worse anxiety or worry due to high inflation.
The survey, released by the Personal Finance Society (PFS), also indicated that nearly half of people are choosing to stay at home more often to combat the squeeze on budgets.
Caroline Stuart, president of the PFS, said: “This poll shows that the British people are struggling to cope not just financially, but mentally with rising bills. There is now a risk of turning a cost-of-living crisis into a public health crisis too.
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“At a time when anxieties are running high, professional financial planners can help people manage and organise their finances in a way which can weather the storm, ease the burden, take back control of their money and plan for the future.”
The study, conducted by Deltapoll, also found that around a fifth of people were also eating less healthily as a result of the crisis due to the lower price and better availability of unhealthy foods.
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