Entrepreneur calls on banks to do more to support mental health of its customers impacted by Covid-19

A new service set up to help businesses support customers facing mental and emotional health issues is calling on banks to ‘invest in people gripped by money and financial anxieties’ as a result of COVID-19.

Holler It says more needs to be done by banks to support people with increased worries surrounding finances and job security.

The call comes after the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) stated that the economic downturn resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic “will have significant consequences for people’s mental health outcomes in the short and longer term.

The World Health Organisation has also warned of an “upsurge in the number and severity of mental illness in the aftermath of the global lockdown”.

Concerned by the growing number of people struggling with emotional and mental health issues and the lack of access to professional support, Lily Gupta launched Holler It.

The business provides health and wellbeing packages that can be rolled out to customers, savers, members and employees in an easy, cost-effective way.

Lily comments: “Banks and our big financial institutions have a duty to do more to support customers who are worried about their finances. Nearly everyone has a bank account or an insurance policy – that puts these organisations in a unique position to help and support the UK public.

“In addition to the free newspapers or coffee perks, they could give access to a dedicated service that listens, supports and provides information to their customers who might be feeling stressed, scared and anxious. ”

Holler It provides free mental health and well-being advice during the COVID-19 pandemic and is a unique and confidential service which provides immediate 24-hour telephone and online provision for people struggling to cope with stress and anxiety.

Expert signposting and support on a whole range of issues including debt, finances, relationships, legal and family matters are covered.