Introducing: John Ortega

My long-standing desire to address systemic inequality and advocate for marginalised voices was shaped by my education. My undergraduate degree in Politics, Law, and Economics at the Singapore Management University, followed by a master’s in Political Sociology at the London School of Economics and Political Science, illuminated just how pervasive and often invisible systemic inequality is.

This conviction was deepened by hands-on experience, including volunteering as a canvasser for an anti-death penalty, prison reform group in Singapore, and cooking for a refugee and homeless shelter in London. These experiences showed me firsthand the harsh, violent realities faced by marginalised communities due to systemic failures. Inspired by friends who are dedicated activists, I learned to dream of more equitable futures.

This ambition was reinforced by my experience as a Research and Project Manager at the Singapore Management University, where I oversaw large-scale social research. One project, in particular, aimed to develop welfare agencies’ understanding of poverty and influence policy, showing strong links between poverty and demographic factors like race, educational background, and mental health.

While I honed valuable research and partnership management skills supporting these projects, I felt the work overlooked the importance of lived experience. I also yearned to move from academic-leaning endeavors toward work that made a direct and immediate impact. Learning about Money and Mental Health and this Strategic Partnerships Officer role immediately signaled that this was the place for me.

Since joining, I have immersed myself in Money and Mental Health’s research, deepening my understanding of the link between money and mental health problems. I was particularly struck by the data showing the critical need for change: 37% of people experiencing mental health problems exhibit significant anxiety when dealing with essential service providers, and 52% of people in utilities arrears have a mental health issue. Additionally, evidence showing an elevated risk of suicide for those with debt problems reinforces the urgency of our mission. These alarming issues require immediate, targeted action.

What truly defines our knowledge base is our Research Community – a 5,000-strong group of experts by experience whose first-hand experiences inform, ground, and shape every part of our work. Their stories are crucial in helping to understand the complex and dynamic feedback loop where mental health issues significantly reinforce money problems, often trapping individuals in a vicious cycle.

Using this wealth of knowledge, Money and Mental Health has made great strides in impacting legislation and regulation, as well as influencing the actions of essential services firms. Yet, the question remains: why do so many firms remain slow to increase accessibility for people experiencing mental health problems?

This sluggish pace of change is exactly why the work of the Mental Health Accessible (MHA) team is so critical, and why I’m excited to join them. MHA takes a consultancy approach, working directly with essential services firms to make services more accessible to people experiencing mental health problems and to improve outcomes for them. In doing so, the team fills the dual role of being both an educator, and an advocate for customers with mental health difficulties.

The vast majority of UK citizens interact with essential services daily, from banking and utilities to internet connection. Since one in four individuals will encounter mental health problems sometime in their lives, a massive segment of customers encounter the vicious cycle of money, access to essential services, and mental health issues. Aligning more firms with Money and Mental Health’s mission and supporting them with making practical changes to achieve better outcomes for customers who have mental health problems is a crucial priority for us in addressing this feedback loop.

Firms often lack clarity on how and where to start making these necessary changes. MHA helps them implement steps such as modifying collections processes and communications to minimise psychological distress caused, and proactively offering safe and seamless ways for customers to disclose mental health accessibility requirements and indicate communications preferences. MHA executes this important work by helping firms attain Mental Health Accessible accreditation through a rigorous evaluation of their processes.

This work is strongly rooted in our research, and, crucially, the invaluable perspectives of our Research Community. MHA also offers bespoke consultancy projects, providing firms with tailored solutions for improving many crucial components of the customer journey to achieve equitable outcomes. I am honored to support the delivery of these impactful projects.

Beyond project delivery, I will also support MHA’s growth efforts as we look to benefit a greater number of organisations committed to improving the experience they offer for customers in vulnerable circumstances.

I join the MHA at an exciting time of meaningful and intentional expansion. This growth aligns with where I am in my career, as I look to take on work that creates lasting and tangible impacts aiming for a more equitable, more just future. I look forward with excitement and eagerness to this journey of growth and work with my wonderful, new colleagues.