Visits to Debt Counsellors Soar As debt levels rise in a suffering economy, the human side of the economic disaster is becoming all too apparent. In the East London area alone, the number of suicides has risen from 59 in 2007 to 81 in 2008, while there were 81 cases of alcohol abuse reported in 2008, compared to 17 in 2007. Debt counsellors have been inundated with inquiries from people searching for a solution to their money problems. Reports show that the number of calls from people in dire financial situations who are contemplating suicide to charities such as lifeline are on the increase, while sales of anti-depressants and sleeping pills are an all time high. While there are sustainable routes out of debt, however bad the situation may seem, many are finding their money worries too much to handle and are increasingly turning towards drugs, alcohol and even suicide. Kimberly Marshall, Director of the East London division of Childline/Lifeline said that although not all these cases can.

For many, the possibility of a solution to their debt seems a long way off, and the usual routes are not providing much-needed to relief for families in desperate situations.