Issue 14: Autumn/Winter 2024
Mental Health Support: From Crisis to Stability
Mental health challenges can be overwhelming, but you don’t have to face them alone. This article explains how the MCF provides access to mental health support for Freemasons and their families, helping them regain stability in difficult times.
In times of emotional distress, talking to a professional can be a lifeline. We can help Freemasons and their families’ access mental health support for symptoms of depression, anxiety, stress or other mental health concerns – this includes adults, as well as children and grandchildren of Freemasons aged between 5 and 17 years old.
The service is delivered through an experienced and independent provider. It gives access to fully trained and qualified mental health practitioners, ensuring that the highest quality of care is provided. An initial assessment with a mental health clinician is the first step in the process and this will determine the type of mental health support which is appropriate – this could be counselling, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) or the service may be unable to help. A financial assessment is not required to access counselling support but is required to access other specialist mental health support, such as CBT. Our Enquiries team will be able to offer more information regarding the financial assessment if it is needed.
Kate’s story
As Kate became increasingly overwhelmed by the challenges of life, her husband, a Freemason, reached out to the MCF for support to see if we could help.
I was struggling with day-to-day life, feeling the pressure to keep on top of everything—looking after our home, family, and making sure I continued working. I was also taking care of my husband, who has been left with multiple conditions after having COVID and has not been able to return to work since. I never thought we would be in this position—at least not until our old age. I have suffered from anxiety and depression for over 20 years now and have faced different battles, mainly in my own head. In January of this year, it all became too much. I was feeling so overwhelmed by everything: how quickly time and days were passing, my son growing up so fast, and just the general feeling that life itself was too difficult.
After reaching out to her doctor, she was referred to a counselling service, but the long and ever-growing waiting list couldn’t meet Kate’s immediate need for support.
I needed help, so my husband got in touch with the MCF. He explained what had happened and how I had hit rock bottom. I received a phone call the next day, and within a few days had a telephone assessment with someone. It was so fast. I received 12 weeks of one-to-one Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) with a lovely lady. At first I was scared as I had not done anything like this before, but she was so kind and supportive that I was actually upset when it all finished. She listened to me and helped me to look at life differently, in ways I had never thought to do before.
Access to the MCF’s mental health services has proven incredibly empowering for the people we support, providing them with the strategies they need to navigate difficult times and regain stability.
I still have my battles in my head, I don’t think that will ever go away, but I have a different outlook on things now, and I came away from the counselling with the tools to teach myself to continue the treatment when things get bad. I’m so very grateful to the MCF; they have helped in more ways than I ever imagined.
Louise’s story
Louise’s life was turned upside down when her husband, a Freemason, passed away 18 months after being diagnosed with terminal cancer.
The first year after my husband died, I was in total shock even though we knew it was coming – it changed our whole life. I was so busy dealing with my three children and making sure that they were okay that I put myself on the backburner. I suffered from major flashbacks, so I contacted my doctor, who told me I have Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
After learning that the waiting list for support was over a year long, Louise remembered that, in addition to the mobility aids we provided for her late husband and assistance with daily living costs for her family, we could also help her access mental health support.
It was quick and easy to apply, and within weeks I was receiving support. I had 12 sessions of CBT, and it gave me so many tools to deal with what I’m going through now and whatever happens in the future. My therapist retrained my brain, which has been through so much trauma; he said it’s like I had thrown a load of laundry in the cupboard and shut the door, which really resonated with me. I left the door closed for so long, and now it is slowly opening, and I’m starting to deal with it. I’m an ordinary person with a family who have had their life turned upside down. The MCF continues to support me and my children, and the CBT I received has given me clarity and essential tools for the future.
We offer access to mental health support through trusted external organisations and can help you to find other services that may help. To access support, call us on 0800 035 60 90.
Find out more about our access to mental health support by visiting: mcf.org.uk/MentalHealth-BL14
