“Mental Health UK recognises that financial struggles can be both a cause and a consequence of poor mental health, and is working to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and promote practical solutions that support emotional resilience. We are delighted to be collaborating with Money Ready to create a nuanced financial education offer which is capable of addressing both the financial challenges facing young people and the mental and emotional toll these challenges can take.” says Charlotte Baldwin, Head of Young People’s Programmes at Mental Health UK.
Together, in a new partnership, the two national organisations have created new workshops for young people aged 14-18 combining mental health and money knowledge. These sessions focus on:
Debt and Mental Health: The emotional and practical impact of debt and early financial independence
Navigating Digital Finances: The influence of the digital world on spending habits and how to develop healthier financial behaviours
The workshops explore key themes such as understanding different types of debt and how to manage them responsibly, identifying sources of financial and emotional support, and navigating financial environments online safely. By addressing both the practical and emotional sides of money, we’re equipping young people to make confident, informed decisions in a digital world.
With only 40% of 16–24-year-olds feeling confident managing their money*, the workshops are designed to boost financial confidence by helping learners create and adopt positive money mindsets. From buying a weekly coffee to being tempted by social media ads, the workshops address real-world scenarios and provide practical tips and tools people can use every day to combat financial anxiety.
“Our trainers hear from young adults who equate money with anxiety, from those who worry about the consequences of debt to others struggling to grasp the different ways we can accrue debt, and the differences between ‘good’ and ‘bad’ debt,” says Helen Foster, 16+ Programme and Delivery Director at Money Ready.
Helen adds: ”Our sessions include topics such as how to understand your payslip and make good choices about saving and borrowing, while destigmatising the topic of debt, and by teaming up with MHUK we can ensure that our programme participants are fully equipped to manage their money, both practically and emotionally.”
By teaming up with MHUK we can ensure that our programme participants are fully equipped to manage their money, both practically and emotionally.Helen Foster, 16+ Programme and Delivery Director at Money Ready
Through this collaboration, we aim to help people better understand themselves and their spending habits, take control of their financial futures and improve their mental health. By combining practical money management tips with a deeper understanding of common financial concepts – like what debt really means, how the digital world shapes our behaviour, and why we make the money choices we do – we’re helping participants build lasting financial resilience. Above all, we want to empower young people to see money not as a source of stress, but as a tool for stability, independence, and opportunity.
Keep an eye on moneyready.org and Money Ready’s social media channels for further details about the workshops and partnership with Mental Health UK.
* Yonder poll: commissioned by Money Ready 2024