'An £8,000 debt pushed me to breaking point'

A Bradford man says an £8,000 debt drove him to multiple suicide attempts, a story that reflects a deepening debt crisis where the average burden for those seeking help has reached about £12,000 [1]. Dean, 58, lost his council job after health complications from surgery, forcing him onto benefits as his bills grew [1]. His debts, accrued for essentials like a bed and carpets, mounted through catalogues and online credit [1]. "Things were that bad, I attempted suicide three times," he said [1]. He credits Christians Against Poverty (CAP) with saving his life, calling their support "absolutely fantastic" [1]. The charity's new report details a wider emergency. The average debt for its clients is about £12,000, with repayments taking almost nine years on average [1]. Claire Cowles, the report's author, said borrowing is now for survival: "People are having to borrow to cover their food shop every week... for school uniforms, just the basics of life" [1]. The city of Bradford, where Dean lives, is a former industrial centre in West Yorkshire that has faced economic challenges since deindustrialisation in the mid-20th century [8]. Debt adviser Jonathan Lees said frontline workers take up to 80 calls a day, seeing more council tax and utilities debt as people are left with as little as £200 a month after rent [1]. The severe psychological toll is quantified: around 46% of people helped by CAP have considered or attempted suicide [1]. Cowles stated, "It shouldn't be that someone thinks their life is worth less than £12,000" [1]. Campaigners call for stronger safety nets and recognition of debt as a dual economic and mental health issue [1]. Dean, now a delivery driver for Bradford Central Food Bank with savings, urges others to seek help: "It's just making that first step and doing it" [1]. The local authority, the City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council, provides many services in the area [10].