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`More people ringing Samaritans over debt worries`

02/10/2008

An increasing number of consumers in the UK are calling the Samaritans over concerns about debt, it has been suggested.

According to a BBC report, the organisation - which provides confidential emotional support to those in distress - has seen an increase in calls of 25 per cent compared to last year as a direct result of the credit crunch.

Shaun Kelly, outreach and communications co-coordinator at the central London branch of the organisation, said: "Debt is known to contribute to emotional distress and sometimes people in financial difficulty can consider suicide as a way out of the situation that they are in."

He added that is it "really important" for people experiencing personal finance problems to talk to someone about their situation, rather than keep it to themselves.

Meanwhile, pawnbroking firm Albermarle & Bond recently reported a rise in profits of 40 per cent compared to last year as consumers in the UK who are unable to access credit due to tighter lending conditions increasingly turn to selling their possessions.

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