Time To Talk Day 2026
We’re supporting Time To Talk Day 2026 in Hull and the East Riding, working with Hull and East Yorkshire Mind, Hull City Council and East Riding of Yorkshire Council to encourage open, honest conversations about mental health.
It’s all about helping people feel less alone, and reminding us all that talking and listening can be powerful first steps towards support. A free webinar on Thursday, February 5 will help you build confidence, challenge mental health myths and learn where to find local help.
At Citizens Advice Hull & East Riding, we’ve been supporting local people with their mental health for more than 85 years – by helping them to solve their problems.
We’re a local charity that can help you with a range of issues including debt, benefits, housing and employment. We also campaign locally and nationally for changes to make life better for people.
Last year, we helped local people across Hull and the East Riding with more than 112,000 issues. Most people who came to us for help had several problems, and many of them said they were struggling with their mental health.
Debt was by far the most common issue for people experiencing mental health difficulties.
The good news is that tackling money problems starts with talking about them, and that’s what we’re here for. Our practical advice can immediately reduce financial stress and relieve the strain.
Getting to grips with the problem early can prevent a mental health concern becoming a crisis.
Even for those at crisis point, support to tackle the immediate financial pressures can make room for our clients to focus on their wellbeing. Last year, our work saved the NHS an amazing £1.7m by reducing the use of mental health services and keeping people in work.
Every day we see people walk away from our services with a sense of a weight having been lifted.
Just recently, our Debt Team helped a single dad who was struggling to cope with debts and the endless letters and visits from bailiffs. The situation was having a terrible effect on his mental health, but we managed to secure a Debt Relief Order for him clearing debt worth £49,000, allowing him to tackle priority bills.
Our client’s parents were delighted to hear him singing one day when he returned home from work, for the first time in a long while. They said we would never know how much this meant to them, but we do have some idea! Last year our clients gained £34,000,000 in their finances and we were able to write off £7,700,000 of debts.
That’s a lot of weight lifted, and it all started with a chat.
Client feedback
“It’s not easy coping with problems alone, but having this professional support helps you take the weight off your shoulders”
“The team helped save my life! And they can provide the same service for anyone else!”
Client stories
Peter’s story
Peter (named changed for anonymity) was supported by our Exploring Opportunities team. He has long-term physical and mental health conditions and was unable to manage the day-to-day maintenance of his home.
Our adviser was able to work with Peter to assist with benefit applications, accessing social services, making calls to the council, his energy supplier and the DWP.
James’s story
For more than five years, James (name changed) had not left his home due to long-term mental health challenges.
Although a Personal Independence Payment (PIP) claim had been attempted before, it was unsuccessful. With trust already established through a referral partner, James agreed to work with both his key worker and our caseworker.
Together, they supported him through a new PIP application and the completion of a Universal Credit health assessment form. The key worker sat with James during telephone appointments, helping to reassure him and request breaks when needed, while our caseworker guided him through the process.
James’s PIP application could increase his income by £101.35 per week (£5,270 per year), while the UC health element could add a further £416.19 per month (£4,994 per year).
In total, his annual income could rise by more than £10,000, giving him the means to pay for carers or support with the upkeep of his home.
Most importantly, James has begun to feel more confident, supported, and open to engaging with further counselling and other services that can help improve his wellbeing.
How to get help from Citizens Advice
Last year, we helped over 24,000 people in Hull and East Riding resolve more than 112,000 issues. For every £1 invested in our services, society benefits by over £20.
Our dedicated staff and army of amazing volunteers give people the knowledge and the confidence they need to find their way forward – whoever they are, and whatever their problem.
We provide advice on issues such as: debt and money, welfare benefits, housing and homelessness, employment rights, energy and consumer issues.