Norwegian Bank Bank2 recently conducted psychology training for their staff to help them better communicate with clients with debt and psychological problems.
In the past year, prices have soared from electricity to fuel to food. In addition, in order to cope with inflation, the central bank has repeatedly increased loan interest, resulting in a significant increase in fixed expenditures for every person with mortgages every month. Information collected by Bank2 shows that 5.7% of Norwegians believe their economic situation is on the verge of bankruptcy. Diana Peters, sales manager of
Bank2 Bank, told the media: "We want to help these vulnerable groups. Everyone in the banking industry works under the principle of 'know your customers'. We think it's time to take more responsibilities."
Psychologist Arne Holte also participated in the work. He explained: "Mental health is closely linked to financial situation. On the one hand, people with mental health problems are often more likely to have economic problems, and on the other hand, economic difficulties can also lead to mental health problems." The reporter asked: "What mental health problems are the most common?"
Arne Holte replied: " Depression is definitely the most common. People with this disease will feel lost in the future, nothing is meaningful, and nothing can be controlled. This is not ordinary sadness, but a sense of emptiness. When economic problems occur at the same time as the most severe depression, it may lead to suicide." Arne Holte believes that banks have the responsibility to not put people who are already struggling into worse situations, but to take ethical behavior.
In addition to providing psychological training for employees, allowing them to better communicate with mentally healthy customers, Bank2 Bank has also added various contact information for mental health services to all its letters that refuse to issue loans.
However, Diana Peters also pointed out: "Banks cannot save this situation alone. We just want to do something within our ability to help. We cannot become psychologists, but we can become a bridge between patients and the health care system."
