Citizens Advice seeing rise in mental health cases

Ali Marquis said a number of factors were affecting the mental health of islanders

Rising numbers of people with mental health issues in Guernsey have been seeking help, Citizens Advice has said.

The charity said 196 cases for help were were marked as including one or more mental health issues in 2022.

This was a rise from 162 on the previous year, it said.

Ali Marquis, chief executive of Citizens Advice Guernsey, said a number of factors were affecting the mental health of islanders.

She said the island's mental wellbeing strategy listed stable jobs, good pay, quality and secure housing, education and community connections as the "building blocks" for health.

"We are seeing a number of those... aren't available to all islanders," she said.

"For example, access to affordable housing, employment inquires [and] homelessness.

"We are seeing that is having a detrimental effect to people's mental health."

The charity also found there were fewer cases which referenced addictive behaviours linked to mental health issues.

Mental health issues were captured as secondary factor to the main presenting issue, it added.