Mental Health Crisis Breathing Space (MHCBS)

If your patient is receiving mental health crisis treatment and struggling with debt, free help is available.

The Mental Health Crisis Breathing Space (MHCBS) is a statutory programme that provides people with problem debt a temporary break from the organisations to which they owe money.

Start an MHCBS Application

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About the Service

Mental health issues and problem debt often go hand in hand. In fact, more than 1.5 million people in the UK are experiencing both.

Mental Health Crisis Breathing Space (MHCBS) is designed to relieve this pressure. By pausing most creditor action whilst receiving crisis treatment, patients can concentrate fully on their recovery.

Eligibility criteria:

Living in England or Wales
They are receiving qualifying mental health crisis treatment
In problem debt

Start an MHCBS Application

Who Can Apply and How?

Applying for MHCBS is a straightforward process that can be completed using our online portal, accessible here.

You can submit an application on behalf of someone if you are a:

Approved Mental Health Professional (AMHP)
Care-Coordinator
Mental Health Nurse/Key Worker
Social Worker
Independent Mental Health Advocate
Independent Mental Health Capacity
Relevant Person's Representative.

Please note that a person must be receiving mental health crisis treatment, and an Approved Mental Health Professional (AMHP) must certify this.

If you need support, please get in touch:
E: support@mhcbs.co.uk
T: 0800 987 4110

Start an MHCBS Application

Upcoming Events

1. Drop-In Session 6 February: Questions and Answers

We are launching a new series of informal drop-in sessions for mental health professionals and AMHPs. Led by AMHP Amrin Kerry, these sessions provide a space to ask questions and discuss practical issues.

Each session will be held via Microsoft Teams. You are welcome to join for the full hour or simply drop in to ask a question and continue with your day.

The next drop-in session is on Friday, February 6th, from 12 pm to 1 pm.

If the button above doesn't work, you can use the following details to access the session:

Join: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/31298560828217?p=cbterpgGIPjPQysMdV
Meeting ID: 312 985 608 282 17
Passcode: Tb2Fq6EA

2. Webinar 13 February 2026: MHCBS - A practical refresh

Do you want a clearer understanding of Mental Health Crisis Breathing Space (MHCBS), or a concise refresh on how the statutory scheme works in practice? This short webinar is designed to do just that.

We will revisit what MHCBS is, clarify eligibility, and walk through how to submit an application using the online portal.

There will also be time for questions, giving you the opportunity to raise any practical or case-related queries.

3. Webinar 13 March 2026: Beyond MHCBS - debt advice and wider support

Did you know that individuals protected under Mental Health Crisis Breathing Space (MHCBS) can also access free, FCA-regulated debt advice?

This session will explore the wider support available to individuals during and after MHCBS, including debt advice and other free support programmes.

Join us to gain a deeper understanding of how these services complement mental health support and how they can help individuals move forward beyond crisis care.

Looking for practical guidance?

Visit our Content Library for webinars, guidance and resources for mental health professionals.

FAQs

1. What is Mental Health Crisis Breathing Space (MHCBS)?

MHCBS is a statutory debt respite scheme established under the Debt Respite Scheme (Breathing Space Moratorium and Mental Health Crisis Moratorium) (England and Wales) Regulations 2020, in force from May 2021.

It provides legal protections from most creditor action for individuals who are receiving qualifying mental health crisis treatment, allowing them to focus on their recovery. At the same time, access to regulated debt advice is established.

2. Who is eligible for Mental Health Crisis Breathing Space (MHCBS)?

An individual is eligible if they:

Are aged 18 or over
Reside in England or Wales
Are receiving mental health crisis treatment as defined in the Regulations
Have at least one qualifying debt

Eligibility must be certified by an Approved Mental Health Professional (AMHP) in accordance with Regulation 28.

3. Which debts are covered by Mental Health Crisis Breathing Space?

Most personal debts qualify, including:

Credit cards, store cards and personal loans
Overdrafts and payday loans
Utility arrears (rent, mortgage, electricity, gas, water)
Council tax arrears
Joint debts (protections apply to all liable parties)

Ongoing liabilities, such as rent, mortgage payments, council tax, and energy bills, must continue to be paid. Any arrears accrued after the moratorium starts are not protected.

4. What protections apply during the moratorium?

During the moratorium, creditors must not:

Take enforcement action
Pursue recovery activity or court proceedings
Apply interest, fees or charges to qualifying debts
Disconnect utilities or install pre-payment meters (except in limited lawful circumstances)

These protections apply for the entire duration of the mental health crisis treatment, plus a further 30 days after the treatment ends (often referred to as the cooling-off period).

5. Does Mental Health Crisis Breathing Space (MHCBS) write off debt?

No. MHCBS does not write off debt.

However, individuals are offered free, FCA-authorised debt advice during the moratorium. This may result in longer-term debt solutions, which can include a debt relief order or write-off where appropriate.

6. How long does the moratorium last?

There is no fixed time limit. The moratorium lasts:

For the entire period that the individual is receiving qualifying mental health crisis treatment, and
For an additional 30 days after treatment ends

Individuals may enter Mental Health Crisis Breathing Space multiple times, provided eligibility criteria are met on each occasion.

7. How do professionals apply for Mental Health Crisis Breathing Space?

Applications can be submitted via the MHCBS online portal or using the approved form.

Applications may be made by:

Approved Mental Health Professional (AMHP)
Care-Coordinator
Mental Health Nurse/Key Worker
Social Worker
Independent Mental Health Advocate
Independent Mental Health Capacity
Relevant Person's Representative.
The individual receiving mental health crisis treatment

An Approved Mental Health Professional (AMHP) must always certify the application before it can proceed.

Mental Health Crisis Breathing Space (MHCBS) is a partnership service delivered by We Are Group and Toynbee Hall. We Are Group is the lead delivery partner, supporting access and coordination of the service. All regulated debt advice, including all communications relating to Breathing Space Moratorium, is provided by Toynbee Hall, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).