Kristie Hunt, a 31-year-old women from Stockport, Greater Manchester, died at Stepping Hill Hospital on 26th November 2023. Only three days prior to her death, she had attempted an overdose. The effects of this episode underscored the deep mental health issues she fought all her life. Hunt had always hoped to train as a nurse and had appropriate experience as a carer. Her path was complicated by struggles with mental illness and drug addiction.
His diagnosis included bipolar affective disorder, emotional unstable personality disorder, and adjustment disorder. In reality, she struggled with debilitating mental illness and a painful history of self-harm throughout her life. These problems were worsened by the financial strain caused by her interactions with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
In a sad state of affairs, Hunt ended up with a £50 civil penalty. Instead, she was punished for failing to notify the DWP of any changes in her employment status. Today, she walked that back, clarifying that she had given DWP notice of her position. She was underemployed, working less than 16 hours a week earning less than £167. This lack of understanding led to an incredibly misguided conclusion. She was said to have been overpaid Employment Support Allowance (ESA) by £149, and so she had to pay it back.
Hunt had borrowed a Social Support Loan of £345 from the DWP, further deepening her financial pressures. Assistant Coroner Andrew Bridgman observed these complications would have negatively impacted her mental wellbeing. This understanding just adds to how dire her situation is.
“Likely impacted adversely on Kristie Ann Hunt’s state of mind and likely contributed to her actions.” – Assistant Coroner Andrew Bridgman
Colin Barrow, a close friend of Hunt, said he worried about the scrutiny she was under from DWP-linked debts.
“Knowing Krissi, she would have felt the pressures of the DWP reported debts.” – Colin Barrow
Barrow noted that there are some positives to Hunt’s impending new job. Even then, she would be beset with panic by virtue of her circumstances.
“Even with the positive aspects of her new job she would have been in a panic.” – Colin Barrow
This heartbreaking case is a painful reminder of the systemic failures affecting mental health and the toll bureaucratic mistakes can have on our most vulnerable. Leanne Devine, a Mental Health Awareness Month advocate, told us how devastated she was. She doesn’t think families should be forced to live with the knowledge that systemic failures contributed to their loved one’s deterioration.
“No family should have to hear that DWP failings contributed to a spiral in their loved one’s mental health, yet in our legal work we hear this kind of narrative again and again.” – Leanne Devine
While defending their record on the uproar, a spokesperson from the DWP insisted that they have “always done more to help those most in need”.
“Our aim is always to provide the best possible support to those who need it, ensuring they can access the appropriate services.” – DWP spokesperson
Hunt’s story serves to remind us all of the very real and urgent need to address mental health directly. It shines a light on what should be most important—meeting people’s needs, protecting them from the consequences of bureaucracy’s mistakes.
