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People with mental health problems can experience very concrete
forms of financial discrimination and disadvantage.
As well as hardship
as a result of unemployment or having to take low paid jobs
(see employment), people with a history of mental health
problems can find it difficult to access the financial services
that most people take for granted.
A survey by Mind in
1996 found that around a quarter of respondents had been turned
down for financial services - including life insurance, health
insurance, car insurance, bank or building society loans and
holiday insurance - because of a psychiatric diagnosis. Many
more respondents hadn't even bothered to apply for particular
services because they expected to be turned down.
But since 1996, the
Disability Discrimination Act (see law)
has made it illegal to refuse insurance or other services, or charge higher
premiums, unless the company can demonstrate statistically
higher risks as a direct result of a specific mental health
condition. Companies also have a duty to make sure their services
are accessible to people with mental health disability.
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tell
your story if you have experienced discrimination
on the grounds of mental health. |
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read
diana's story
for her thoughts on finances and discrimination. |
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