Paid Yesterday, Broke Today

Executive Director of Samaritans Scotland, Neil Mathers, introduces our new report, Paid Yesterday, Broke Today, which investigates the impact of financial and employment insecurity on suicidal thoughts and behaviour. 

Too many people in Scotland are finding that their hard work is not providing an income that can cover their basic needs. For many, there is no certainty about when they will get their next shift, or how long a job will last. These experiences take their toll.

Samaritans Scotland new report “Paid Yesterday, Broke Today” sets out the experiences of people living in Scotland who face financial difficulties. Participants shared their experiences of feeling the pressure of insufficient pay and poverty, of the stigma placed on them when reaching out for financial support, and of the sense of being trapped in debt. For our research participants these experiences contributed to suicidal thoughts and behaviours.

Our vision is that fewer people die by suicide. Samaritans volunteers provide life-saving support for our callers 24/7, 365 days a year.

Suicide is preventable. Our hope is that this report can play a part in giving a voice to people in Scotland experiencing insecurity in pay and work, and begin to build a better Scotland where work, pay and social security function together to saves lives.