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If you’ve been worried lately about the rise in the cost of living, you’re not alone. According to the Office for National Statistics, seven in 10 adults in the UK reported feeling very or somewhat worried about the rising costs of living.

This worry can present itself in many forms depending on your circumstances, so it’s important to understand how it can affect your life and when it might be the right time to look for support.

To explore the impact that the cost of living crisis is having on people’s mental health, we interviewed Dr. Deenesh Khoosal, specialist Medical Adviser to our Masonic Support Committee. This discussion was a very insightful experience for us and we hope it provides some answers to whatever problems you’ve been experiencing.

Many of us are feeling worried about the rise of the cost of living. Do you think this can impact people’s mental health?

All significant uncertainties can negatively impact our mental health. The recent rise in the cost of living makes people feel trapped and forces them to make impossible choices between heating their homes or eating, at a time when incomes are unchanged or even falling. Families with school-aged children face the expense of entertaining and feeding their children, as well as the dilemma of funding uniforms, books, and more.

As if this is not bad enough, already constrained finances will undoubtedly worsen during the colder months, bringing the need for warm clothing and heating sharply into focus. Older people also feel the cold more and, if they don’t go out much, they will have a major problem when trying to keep warm at home.

People can become preoccupied by this to such an extent that they can’t think about anything else and feel like ignoring what’s going on is the only option available. Still, ignoring the mounting costs will only make the situation worse and, before we know it, these worries can overtake us and make us feel unable to cope.

All this could take a major toll and become essential ingredients of what will make up ‘a perfect storm’ for many people and lead to an emotional crash, to the extent that they may literally grind to a halt.

Are you seeing more people looking for mental health support or counselling lately?

There was already an increase in the number of people seeking mental health support and counselling in the pandemic, which added considerable pressure on already constrained mental health services all over the country. The cost of living crisis has, unsurprisingly, increased stress levels in many people, leading them to seek help from statutory and voluntary sectors at a time when services are already stretched.

When does a common worry become a reason of concern? What signs should people look for?

Worrying is not unusual. We all worry to a greater or lesser degree about all sorts of things happening in our lives such as: meeting deadlines, trying to get an appointment with a doctor or staying safe during COVID-19. We may also worry about bigger things like global warming and human rights. We are mostly able to keep these worries in check and manage them to a reasonable extent. The significant feature is that these worries do not overwhelm us.

The most important sign indicating that a worry is becoming a major cause for concern is when it becomes uncontrollable or overwhelming, despite anything we do. In the face of worries that show little sign of early resolution, stress levels are set to rise and badly affect mental health. Worrying all the time without being able to find a solution can interfere with the ordinary activities of everyday life such as sleep disturbances, appetite changes and altered mood. Ignoring these early warning signs is not a good idea as it will only make things much worse. If this continues or worsens beyond a fortnight, help needs to be accessed.

What are the more common mental health problems people can develop during this crisis?

Any mental health problem can arise, though anxiety and depression are the most common consequences of high levels of stress arising from uncontrollable factors like cost of living pressures. Both of these mental health issues are fairly common in the general population, often occurring for a variety of reasons such as divorce, bereavement and negative life events.

The symptoms experienced, whether the cause is related to these factors, or to the cost of living crisis are exactly the same — only the cause is different. The severity and range of symptoms experienced is influenced by the impact of the worries. High levels of continued stress for long periods of time can become hard to control and will likely lead to mental health problems.

What are the main symptoms of depression and anxiety? How does it manifest in people day-to-day?

There are many symptoms of depression and anxiety and there is no exhaustive list as different people are affected in different ways. We do not need to have most or all these symptoms to be experiencing depression and anxiety, but they should be happening for at least two weeks and be negatively impacting our lives and the enjoyment we used to get from our hobbies and activities.

Some symptoms of depression include persistent low mood, appetite changes (too much or too little), unable to see a future, sleep changes (too much or too little), poor energy, poor concentration, weight changes, hopelessness, unhappiness, tearfulness, not enjoying usual things, loss of sex drive, thoughts of ending it all and unwarranted health worries.

Some symptoms of anxiety include stress, worry, nausea, vomiting, panic attacks, fear, uneasiness, restlessness, sense of impending doom, palpitations, increased heart rate, intense breathing, sweating, trembling and tiredness.

When is the right time to look for support?

Help and support should be sought when these symptoms persist, escalate, become harder and harder to keep in check or when they interfere with daily life. No specific time is right for everybody as the impact can differ for each of us. Constant worry without being able to reach a solution or thinking that life is no longer worth living are important warning signs. When you feel your mental state is having an unmanageable impact on your life, it is an appropriate time to seek help. Sometimes we need someone close to us to point out that something is wrong, as we may not notice it ourselves. Earlier intervention is advisable as it could reduce stress sooner and limit the emotional turmoil being experienced and hopefully leads to better management of it.

How can the MCF provide support for Freemasons – or their family members – struggling with mental health?

The MCF offers invaluable help for Freemasons and their families through a range of services including counselling, support and access to specialists, often in conjunction with NHS services. Support is generally provided on a one-to-one basis, either online, via a phone call or in certain circumstances, face-to-face. The MCF has stringent policies and procedures in place to ensure that available support and counselling is of the highest standards. Support is always confidential, non-judgmental and tailored towards individual needs.

Do you have any tips for people who have been experiencing poor mental health?

It’s always a good idea to speak to friends and family rather than bottling it all up. The old saying ‘a problem shared is a problem halved’ remains true. They might be experiencing similar problems themselves and are coping in ways that we may find helpful, or they might have some ideas or thoughts about how you can manage the situation better.

You may not have thought of it, but doing things that help you to relax work well for most people. Simple things like following a routine, adopting healthy lifestyles, exercising regularly or going on walks come with a minimal or no cost and benefit mental health enormously. Many people find yoga, reflexology, aromatherapy, acupuncture, deep breathing and meditation enjoyable and helpful.

If things continue to get worse, then it is time to seek help. A counsellor recommended by someone you trust or someone who has used that counsellor themselves might be your ‘go to’ person. Some councils run counselling and support services that have been vetted so it is worth checking their availability.

Further help if needed, can be accessed through local walk-in centres or crisis cafés. Professional help is also available through GPs.

The MCF can assist with counselling treatment. Help is always at hand – there is no need to feel alone as the cost of living is affecting more people than you might think.

If you’re not feeling well, remember that you’re not alone. The MCF can offer mental health support if you are experiencing low mood, symptoms of depression, anxiety, stress or any other conditions affecting your mental wellbeing. We work with an independent team of professional counsellors and therapists, who are registered and accredited by the UK Council for Psychotherapy.

Check your eligibility