What is Mental Health Crisis Breathing Space?
At a glance
- It stops most interest, charges, enforcement and creditor contact.
- It lasts for the whole of your crisis treatment, plus 30 days after it ends.
- Unlike standard Breathing Space, there's no limit on how often you can use it.
- An Approved Mental Health Professional (AMHP) must provide evidence — a debt adviser applies.
Who can get it
- People receiving mental health crisis treatment, including in hospital or from a crisis team.
- A carer, friend, or mental health worker can ask for it on your behalf.
Standard Breathing Space
- If you are not in crisis, standard Breathing Space lasts 60 days.
- It can be used once every 12 months.
Common questions
- Do I still have to pay bills during Breathing Space?
- You should keep paying ongoing bills like rent and energy if you can. The protection covers debts that already exist.
- Does it affect my credit file?
- Breathing Space itself is not recorded on your credit file.
Useful links
Want to talk it through? It's free and confidential.