World Mental Health Day 2026: Lived experiences heard, real voices, real change
Debt can affect much more than your bank balance. It can disturb your sleep, make it difficult to concentrate and leave you feeling anxious about what tomorrow might bring.
For World Mental Health Day on 10 October 2026, the theme is “Lived experiences heard: real voices, real change.”
It highlights the importance of listening to people who have experienced mental health challenges and using their experiences to help shape better services.
At Trust Deed Scotland®, we hear every day how closely debt and mental health are linked. Our customers’ experiences help us understand the pressures they face, the barriers to seeking advice and the difference finding a suitable way forward can make.
Debt and mental health are intrinsically linked
The relationship between debt and mental health can work both ways.
Unaffordable debt can contribute to stress, anxiety and depression. Mental health difficulties can also make earning money, managing bills and dealing with debt more difficult. Together, these pressures can create a cycle that feels hard to break.
Behind every debt balance is a person with their own circumstances. Illness, changes at work, relationship breakdown or rising everyday costs can leave someone struggling with payments they previously managed.
That is why listening matters. Understanding someone’s situation means hearing how debt affects their life, as well as looking at what they owe.
Nine out of ten customers who responded to our survey told us their mental health improved as a result of entering into a formal debt solution.¹
This reflects their own experiences. Everyone’s circumstances are different, but it shows how meaningful finding a suitable way to deal with unaffordable debt can be.
When shame delays seeking help
Talking about debt can feel difficult, particularly when you are worried about how someone might react.
Almost half of our survey respondents told us they waited a year or more before seeking help. Separately, 60% said they put off seeking help because they felt ashamed or embarrassed about their debt.¹
These figures show why a friendly, non-judgemental first conversation matters.
If you have been putting off asking for debt help in Scotland, debt is nothing to be embarrassed about. We speak to people in similar circumstances every day. You deserve to be listened to and treated with dignity, whatever has brought you to this point.
You do not need to have everything worked out before you get in touch. Asking for advice is a chance to understand your options, with no obligation to proceed.
Around 14,000 reviews, thousands of real experiences
Statistics help us understand the bigger picture. Individual experiences help us understand what that picture means in everyday life.
With around 14,000 reviews on Trustpilot, our customers have created a place where people considering debt advice can hear directly from others who have already taken that step.
Their Trust Deed Scotland reviews describe their experiences in their own words, including feeling nervous about making contact, being listened to and finding a way to manage their debts.
One reviewer, Garry, described how his adviser kept him informed throughout the process and helped him find a resolution when he needed it. Mary wrote about feeling extremely nervous before calling and how her adviser’s calm, understanding approach helped her through the conversation.
These personal accounts give this year’s theme a practical meaning: lived experiences heard, real voices, real change.
Reading someone else’s story may help you recognise that you are not alone. It can also give you a clearer idea of what seeking advice could involve.
Read our customers’ experiences on Trustpilot.
The reassurance of someone who has been there
Our survey found that seven out of ten respondents read our Trustpilot reviews before seeking advice from us.¹
One in four told us they heard about Trust Deed Scotland® from a family member, friend or work colleague.¹
Whether it is a review online or a recommendation from someone you know, hearing about another person’s experience can make an unfamiliar process feel less daunting.
Sharing an experience is always a personal choice. For those who choose to do so, their words may help someone else feel more comfortable asking for help.
We are grateful to every customer who takes the time to tell their story.
Being heard starts with a conversation
Mental Health UK’s message for World Mental Health Day is “Support starts with being heard.” It encourages people to make space for conversations, listen without judgement and help others feel understood.
That matters when talking about debt, too.
Our experienced advisers take the time to understand your circumstances and explain the advantages and disadvantages of the Scottish debt solutions available to you. You can ask questions, discuss your concerns and make an informed decision about what fits your needs.
If a phone call feels difficult, you can also contact us through WhatsApp.
Taking that first step may feel daunting. You will speak to someone who is ready to listen.
Take the first step towards a more affordable future
If unaffordable debt is affecting your wellbeing, you can speak to Trust Deed Scotland® for confidential, tailored debt advice.
Call **0141 221 0999**, or [contact us on WhatsApp](https://wa.me/447360278014).
There is no judgement and no obligation to proceed with a debt solution.
Debt advice can help you address financial pressures, but you may also need help with your mental health. Visit [Mental Health UK](https://mentalhealth-uk.org/) for information and resources.
¹Source: Based on 2,829 responses from a Trust Deed Scotland® customer survey conducted in December 2025.
Formal debt solutions may not be suitable in all circumstances. Fees apply. Your credit rating may be affected. Free debt advice is available from [MoneyHelper. For more information, see adterms*