Call to train bank staff to deal with ‘debt depression’

WITH debt depression a growing concern, banking and debt collection staff should receive mental health awareness training, a leading anti-suicide campaigner has urged.

Fine Gael TD and president of the Irish Association of Suicidology, Dan Neville, said creditors had a duty to help and not hound their customers, especially when they were coping with serious health problems.

“Changes in practices, such as waiving fees when a customer has been unwell and introducing mental health awareness training for bank staff will make all the difference,” he said.