Introduced in 2021, the Mental Health Breathing Space is a legal protection that stops most creditor action, freezes interest and pauses enforcement while you are receiving mental health crisis treatment. It lasts for the duration of the treatment plus 30 days.
It can only be started by an Approved Mental Health Professional (usually via your care team). Ask them, or a debt adviser working with them, to apply on your behalf.
There is also a Standard Breathing Space (60 days), available to anyone struggling with debt, that provides a shorter version of the same protections. Free debt help services can apply for a Standard Breathing Space alongside a full advice appointment.
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