[Politics] Cost of living crisis sees some people considering suicide

[BirSaNN]

More people are contemplating suicide as they "cannot cope" as a result of rising costs, charities have said.

Charities supporting those with chronic diseases or disabilities have called for an overhaul of the benefits system.

One woman who has multiple sclerosis (MS) said her costs had almost trebled.

The UK government said it was committed to protecting the most vulnerable and is increasing benefits in line with inflation.

A chronic illness is a long-term health condition that may not have a cure, such as MS, arthritis or diabetes.

Sioned Williams, who has MS, said she struggled to pay the bills and could not do anything when she was cold due to her symptoms.

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Ms Williams, from Anglesey, has a 15-year-old son who has additional learning needs. She said she sacrificed her own health by not switching on the heating in order to pay for petrol to take him to activities and appointments.

"My costs have almost trebled with just the price of gas and electric, and I wear more clothes and blankets to keep warm, as well as carrying a hot water bottle around, anything not to put the heating on," she said.

"There are costs when it comes to living with disabilities, to get things like scooters, the different aids we need to walk, they all cost a lot of money."

Ms Williams said she had to change her habits overnight and could not go out as often, which was having an impact on her mental health.

"They say stress is one of the worst things for MS, the stress to do with living costs is making me worse," she explained.

"I just don't know how we're going to cope if things are going as fast as they are."

Cat Shorney-Jones, from MS Society Wales, said many who come to them were "at the end of their tether", with the stress often affecting their condition and exacerbating their symptoms.

link: https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-64918787