Church highlights mental health and loneliness

MENTAL HEALTH problems and loneliness in communities are the two biggest social issues encountered by Church of England clergy, new research reveals.

There was an increase of 20 per cent in six years of those reporting mental health problems as a major or significant problem in their local area, rising from 40 per cent in 2011 to 60 per cent in 2017, the findings published yesterday show.

A survey of more than 1,000 senior clergy, undertaken between September and October last year, also highlighted loneliness and isolation as the main concern – with 76 per cent saying this was a major or significant problem. Homelessness was also a growing issue, with 23 per cent identifying this as a major or significant problem, up from 14 per cent in 2011, according to the third Church in Action report.

Bishop at Lambeth Tim Thornton said the research shows the “deep commitment” of the Church of England to the “wellbeing and flourishing of communities across the country”.

“The Church of England is uniquely well placed with its presence in every community to respond to a range of different needs, increasingly working in partnership with other organisations including local schools, charities and businesses,” he added.

Conducted by the Church of England and the Church Urban Fund, the survey also found one in five churches runs a food bank either alone or in partnership – with 93 per cent supporting one by either providing a venue, volunteers or donations.

Of those questioned, 70 per cent of churches run three or more community-benefiting organised activities such as parent-toddler groups, lunch clubs for older people, youth work and night shelters.

The Yorkshire Post reported on Saturday that the new Minister for Loneliness had admitted there will be no quick fix to tackling the “phenomenal” challenge of social isolation.

A multi-award-winning campaign, Loneliness: The Hidden Epidemic, which was launched by The Yorkshire Post four years ago this month, was also praised by Prime Minister Theresa May for highlighting the issue.