Katie Evans, Head of research and Policy, Money and Mental Health
Responsible retail
4 January 2017
Most of us occasionally make purchases we later regret, particularly in the sales or when we spot a bargain. For people with mental health problems, however, compulsive shopping can be a serious problem. In April 2016, Money and Mental Health conducted the largest in-depth survey of the financial experiences of people with mental health problems, engaging with nearly 5,500 people. We found that 93% of people experiencing mental health problems spend more when they’re unwell. This additional spending is primarily driven by emotions, not by need, and in many cases it causes serious financial difficulties. We explore how the online retail environment is affecting consumers, with and without mental health problems, and what responsible retail looks like today.