Financial and Mental Health: Exploratory Research

This project will develop a model for providing low-income people with mental illness with supports that enable them to manage their money as well as possible so that they are better able to meet their basic needs, to experience less anxiety about finances, and to live fulfilling lives in the community with the greatest possible degree of independence. The project will work within a citizenship-oriented approach to mental health care, which promotes recovery through linking people with mental illness to the rights, responsibilities, roles, resources and relationships necessary to achieve full membership in society. The aims of the project are to: train clinicians and peer staff so that they are able to integrate discussion of financial issues and concerns into their work with clients; provide on-site services including financial counseling, peer support groups, help with opening a bank account, and a savings club, and; develop a 'financial health' model which can be replicated by other providers of mental health services. The investigators hypothesize that the intervention will result in improved financial health, reduced financial stress, increased community participation, and improved satisfaction with care.