An army veteran who racked up nearly £20,000 in debt has said he wants to help break the stigma surrounding mental health and money worries among ex-forces personnel.Liam Murphy, 41, from Wellington, has shared his story ahead of Armed Forces Day, today, in the hope of showing others facing their own struggles that there is help out there.
He said: “When I was in a manic or a depressive episode I would just go and get stuff on credit, and I wouldn’t know about it until I’d come out of that situation and letters and bills would start arriving.Liam said his biggest problem was easily-accessible payday loans. He said: “You used to be able to get a payday loan and then go back on their website half an hour later and get another one. I did it once all day and got £1,500. That’s how easy it was.
Liam accepted things could not go on as they were, and agreed to be referred to the group’s Money Matters team. She was also able to get Liam out of the IVA and into a Debt Relief Order, clearing the other £18,000 he owed. He now has a message to other veterans: “It is scary but look at the outcome. I’d advise anyone that’s in the same situation to not hide away from it.“But there are other people in the same boat. Ask for help, there’s no point letting it build up.”