Martin Lewis' money and mental health charity teams up with major banks in fresh bid to help tackle suicide

The Money and Mental Health Policy Institute's new 'Suicide Prevention Action Lab' will bring together banks Barclays, HSBC, Lloyds, and Monzo, and building society Nationwide – to collaborate and explore ways to prevent suicide among customers.

Over 420,000 people in problem debt consider taking their own life in England each year, with more than 100,000 attempting suicide, according to the MMHPI. The charity's research shows that financial difficulty can be a key contributory factor to people becoming suicidal.

Martin Lewis: 'We aim to get under the bonnet with banks – and potentially save lives'

The MMHPI: 'Banks have a critical opportunity because of their unique insight'

People who are struggling with their mental health as a result of problem debt can find it hard to tell people or ask for help, says the MMHPI.

But it believes banks, with the unique insight they have into people's finances, can spot warning signs, such as worsening debt problems or sudden drops in income – factors which can contribute to suicidal thoughts and feelings.

The aim of the project is to support the banks in developing and testing new ideas to help people who may be at risk of suicide, drawing on insights from people with lived experience and from MMHPI's own research. The Action Lab will explore how and when banks could use this information to identify customers who may be struggling and direct them towards appropriate support.

It's set to last for around 26 months, and by the end of the programme it's expected there will be tangible differences in the support that participating banks offer their customers. But you may begin to notice changes sooner as the Action Lab begins to test new approaches.

Findings will be published in 2028

The original idea for the Action Lab surfaced at a joint roundtable event in February 2026 held by the MMHPI, the Department of Health and Social Care, and the Treasury.

The outcomes of the Lab's initial pilots will be published by the MMHPI in summer 2028, with the aim that other banks can look at the findings and learn from the programme.

Lucy Rigby MP, economic secretary to the Treasury, said: "I have seen first hand how the industry can make a real difference to people's lives through concerted action and I am very hopeful that this excellent project will help us find new ways to support people before they reach crisis point."

The project, which is jointly funded by the five participating banks, follows on from the MMHPI's 'Gambling Harms Action Lab', through which the charity has been working with financial services firms to improve support offered to people at risk of gambling related harm.

If you're struggling with debt, there are free organisations that can help you work through your options. See our Debt help guide for more.