THE cost of living crisis is pushing those on low incomes to breaking point, a debt help charity has warned.
Debt charity Christians Against Poverty (CAP) said just under a third of its clients (29 per cent) in Northern Ireland have attempted or considered suicide as a way out of their debt.
Almost nine in ten suffered sleepless nights over their finances, according to a new report by the charity.
Around seven in ten were afraid to answer their phone. The same number felt they had no one to turn to.
Households in debt owe an average of around £18,000 over 11 different debts.
But the average CAP client has a household income of £14,780, after housing costs.
CAP found that households would need around 50 years to repay what they owe without help.
Many people have had deductions taken from their benefits to repay a debt, making buying essentials even harder.
Around 28 per cent of CAP clients in the north had a deduction taken from their social security payments.
CAP Northern Ireland National Director, Alison Flanagan, said many people on low incomes do not have enough money to run their homes, buy essentials, and feed themselves and their children.
"It’s incredibly sad but not surprising that this is leading to more people feeling lonely, isolated, anxious, depressed and even suicidal," she said.
"At Christians Against Poverty, through our free services, we can help people get out of debt, provide them with practical and emotional support, offer free budgeting courses, and job clubs to try and get them back into employment.
"This help often leads to people becoming debt free so they can move forward with their lives and have hope for the future.
"CAP is already partnering with hundreds of amazing churches to help run our services and the charity is looking to find more churches to work with across Northern Ireland so we can offer as much help as possible to local people who are struggling because of the cost of living crisis."
Ms Flanagan said many people "face destitution" in the coming months, as the price of food and fuel continues to soar.
"CAP's report shows half of the people we are helping waited over a year before seeking free debt help, with a quarter waiting three years or more," she said.
"It’s vital we raise awareness of the support available so people know they can get help from CAP or another free debt help charity if they're struggling with their finances."
To contact CAP telephone 0800 328 0006 or visit capuk.org
