# Can a section 37 cancel debts

**URL:** <https://forum.mentalhealthlaw.co.uk/t/can-a-section-37-cancel-debts/2309>\
**Category:** Mental Health Act\
**Created:** [21 March 2024 14:18 UTC](https://forum.mentalhealthlaw.co.uk/t/can-a-section-37-cancel-debts/2309 "2024-03-21T14:18:07Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Allan](https://forum.mentalhealthlaw.co.uk/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/a/ccd318/32.png) [@Allan](https://forum.mentalhealthlaw.co.uk/u/Allan)\
**Post date:** [21 March 2024 14:18 UTC](https://forum.mentalhealthlaw.co.uk/t/can-a-section-37-cancel-debts/2309/1 "2024-03-21T14:18:07Z")

</div>

My son has been sentenced by the Courts to remain in hospital under Section 37. Can his financial debts be discharged ?

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![SteveC](https://forum.mentalhealthlaw.co.uk/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/s/ecb155/32.png) [@SteveC](https://forum.mentalhealthlaw.co.uk/u/SteveC)\
**Post date:** [21 March 2024 15:25 UTC](https://forum.mentalhealthlaw.co.uk/t/can-a-section-37-cancel-debts/2309/2 "2024-03-21T15:25:19Z")

</div>

I don’t believe debts can simply be discharged as a result of mental health detention, but there is a process in which they can be frozen.  
It’s the Mental Health Crisis Breathing Space.

> **[Mental Health Breathing Space](https://www.rethink.org/aboutus/what-we-do/mental-health-breathing-space/)**
>
> The Mental Health Access to Breathing Space Scheme will help take the pressure off people with debt issues while they are receiving crisis treatment and up to 30 days after.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Allan](https://forum.mentalhealthlaw.co.uk/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/a/ccd318/32.png) [@Allan](https://forum.mentalhealthlaw.co.uk/u/Allan)\
**Post date:** [25 March 2024 20:18 UTC](https://forum.mentalhealthlaw.co.uk/t/can-a-section-37-cancel-debts/2309/3 "2024-03-25T20:18:50Z")

</div>

Actually they can be discharged. We are talking serious mental health and loans are unsecured, Two doctors sign and declare on appropriate forms and because of the seriousness of his case he cannot be discharged from hospital and have debt collectors knocking. So on extreme circumstances they have no choice but to write off the debt.