Mental Health Breathing Space: What It Is and How to Apply

If you or someone you care for is in a mental health crisis and struggling with debt, there is a scheme in Wales that can give you some breathing room. It is called Mental Health Breathing Space.

This article explains what it is, who can get it, and how to apply — in plain terms.

What is Mental Health Breathing Space?

Mental Health Breathing Space is a debt respite scheme for people living in Wales who are in debt and are currently receiving mental health crisis treatment.

It gives you temporary legal protection from your creditors. During this protected period:

• Most interest, fees and charges on your debts are frozen
• Most enforcement action is paused — bailiff visits, court action, and the like
• Creditors are not allowed to contact you directly

The idea is straightforward. When you are in a mental health crisis, letters and calls about money make everything harder. This scheme creates space for you to stabilise, get advice, and start working out a way forward — without the pressure mounting.

It is not a write-off of your debts. It is a pause. But that pause can make a real difference at the right moment.

Who qualifies?

To be eligible, you must be living in Wales and currently receiving mental health crisis treatment.

That includes people who:

• Have been detained under the Mental Health Act — sometimes referred to as being sectioned
• Have been taken to a place of safety under the Mental Health Act
• Are receiving crisis, emergency, or acute care from a specialist mental health service

Specialist mental health services that may qualify include crisis home treatment teams, liaison mental health teams, community mental health teams, and other services providing serious, acute care for a mental health condition.

An Approved Mental Health Professional (AMHP) — a trained professional who may already be involved in your care — makes the final call on whether your treatment meets the criteria. You do not need to decide this yourself.

What happens during the protected period?

Once a referral is approved, your creditors are notified and the protections come into effect. This means:

• Most debt interest and charges stop building up
• Creditors cannot chase you, visit your home, or take enforcement action
• You get time and space to engage with advice services and look at longer-term options

The protection does not last indefinitely — it is designed as a bridge, giving you time to get stable and seek proper debt advice.

How does the application work?

You do not apply directly yourself. A referral is made on your behalf through a professional.

The referral is submitted using the Mental Health Breathing Space referral tool on this website. The person making the referral — usually your AMHP or a healthcare professional involved in your care — will need:

• Your name, date of birth, and address
• Their own contact details and those of a nominated point of contact
• A completed Debt Respite Scheme evidence form (a standard document your care team will be familiar with)

Once submitted, Citizens Advice Cardiff & Vale processes the referral.

If you have questions before a referral is made, the Citizens Advice Cardiff & Vale team — who run the scheme across Wales — can be contacted on 01446 722812. The form and team are available in both English and Welsh.

Ready to refer?

If you are a professional making a referral, or a family member or carer supporting someone in crisis, you can access the referral tool here:

Mental Health Breathing Space Referral Tool