Children and Young People, Later life, Mental health, Support for Freemasons and families
Reaching out for mental health support
Did you know that we can offer mental health support to partners, widows, children, and grandchildren of Freemasons? So if you’re struggling, we’re here to listen.
According to Mind, 1 in 4 people will experience a mental health issue of some kind each year in England. At the MCF, we can help Freemasons and their families access mental health support if they’re feeling down, have symptoms of depression, anxiety, stress or other mental health concerns.
Access to mental health support is available for Freemasons and their eligible family members, including children who are over five years old. If you are not eligible for our support, we will still take the time to talk to you and direct you to support services that can help.
A rising problem for young people
A study in 2021 found that 1 in 6 children aged five to 16 were identified as having a probable mental health problem, which showed an increase from 1 in 9 in 2017. That’s five children in every classroom.
The pandemic especially highlighted the reality of mental health difficulties amongst young people, often leading to increased anxiety. Mixed with the pressures of social media, financial strains causing tension at home, and the stresses of school, children are increasingly affected by mental health issues.
We know that it’s vital to support young people with these difficulties as soon as they arise, as 1 in 3 mental health problems in adulthood are directly connected to an adverse childhood experience. By helping children cope with and understand how they’re feeling, they are more likely to be able to use the tools they learn in adolescence to overcome challenges later in their lives.
Last year, we awarded over £21,000 to support 28 children and young people with their mental health.
We can offer access to mental health support for children, step-children, grandchildren, or step-grandchildren of Freemasons aged between 5-16 years old. Full details about eligibility can be found here.
Isolation in later life
In 2018, we launched a £1 million partnership with Age UK, which would allow the Later Life Goals project to roll out in 13 areas across England and Wales, benefitting 10,000 older people who are experiencing loneliness.
Chronic loneliness is associated with a number of health conditions including depression, psychological stress, and an increased risk of developing dementia.
Latest figures show that around 1.2 million older people experience loneliness in the UK. Since our partnership launched, we have been able to help over 10,000 people struggling with this. Following the support received through the programme, more than half (56 per cent) of older people who had originally reported often feeling lonely now reported lower levels.
Bereavement can have a significant impact on mental health, as research highlights that widows frequently show a higher proportion of depression and symptoms of PTSD on average. This can be because many widows live by themselves, will face isolation, and will often withdraw socially.
We’d like to reassure you that you are not alone; our mental health support is available to widows of Freemasons, regardless of gender. If you have lost the person you’d usually talk to, know that you can always speak to someone from our Enquiries team.
Bill, an 88-year old Freemason, shared his experience of loneliness since his wife, Nancy, passed away:
Those seeking mental health support should contact our Enquiries team who will provide the details required to access the service. 0800 035 60 90 help@mcf.org.uk
If you are experiencing thoughts of self-harm or suicide, it is essential that you seek immediate assistance. Please reach out to charity Mind, who can provide you with the necessary support to ensure your safety.