Edinburgh residents struggling most with mental health due to cost of living

Four in ten Brits worry they won’t be able to afford to heat their homes this winter (Image: Getty Images) People in Edinburgh, Leicester, and Glasgow are struggling the most with their mental health due to the cost-of-living crisis, according to research. The poll of 2,000 adults found 27 percent have really taken a hit when it comes to their wellbeing, because of financial difficulties. Newcastle, London, and Leeds are other key cities where people are most affected. Cutting down on socialising, gym memberships, and nutritious food to save money are reasons why so many feel disheartened, and worried about their mental wellbeing. And 40 percent are dreading the winter, as they are unsure if they will be able to afford their energy bills to heat their home. The survey was commissioned by British Gas, which is working with Professor Green to raise awareness of the struggles so many are facing, and to highlight the free support available in the new phase of the British Gas Post Office Pop-Ups. The musician and mental health advocate said: ‘As a parent, your first instinct is to protect and provide – and when you’re doing everything you can, and that’s still not enough, it has a profound impact on your mental health. ‘Shame, stigma, and fear can keep people from speaking up for help, but it’s the best thing you can do – for yourself, your family, and your community. ‘Stress and anxiety breed in uncertainty, so I really encourage you to visit a British Gas Post Office Pop-Up, or contact the British Gas Energy Trust, to help you gain confidence in, and control of, your future.’ The research found 14 percent of adults are cutting back on how often they shower to lower their bills, and 21 percent aren’t buying birthday gifts for loved ones – with five percent even admitting their kids are missing out on new toys. Cutting back on socialising or gym memberships is leaving many people disheartened (Image: SWNS) However, just over half (55 percent) believe their mental health would definitely improve if they were more financially stable. People in Manchester were found to be most likely to skip using heat or electricity to keep their homes warm. And those in Edinburgh were most likely to report that they have had issues with money that have led to incurring additional debt, like credit cards. Only 27 percent of all adults polled, via OnePoll, are confident they are accessing all the benefits they may be entitled to when it comes to support with their energy bills. One in ten also believe the rising cost of energy has caused them a great deal of additional stress – and 25 percent baldly state they are expecting to struggle to pay their energy bills through the rest of the year. Nearly the same amount (24 percent) said the current cost-of-living crisis has been just as bad for their mental health as the Covid-19 pandemic. British Gas Energy Trust CEO, Jessica Taplin, said: ‘Debt and money stresses are debilitating, which is why we are delighted to be offering money and energy advisors, funded by us, in Post Offices across the country. ‘Working with an artist like Professor Green can really help raise awareness, and let people know it’s good to talk about the things that are worrying them.’