Mental illness sufferers: You're not alone

Published: May 11, 2022

If you or someone you know is struggling, you are not alone. In the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, many people are grieving, stressed, anxious, burned out and depressed from the isolation, not to mention the mental health side effects from the virus itself. Arkansas Catholic wrote about this in its "Amid the Storm: Anxiety in 2020" special section and it still applies now. Included are helpful warning signs of anxiety and depression that indicate when you should get help. Coping skills are also included as well as spiritual support from the saints.

One of the saints who can be helpful is St. Dymphna, patron saint of those with mental illness or nervous or emotional disorders. Her feast day is May 15. The National Catholic Partnership on Disability (NCPD) offers prayer cards for her. Learn more about this saint from the website of a national shrine dedicated to her in Ohio.

The month of May is Mental Health Awareness Month. According to the NCPD, one out of every four families struggles with some level of mental illness. "The stigma attached to mental illness forces many to hide the severity of their symptoms or those of a loved one. Many stop coming to church due to the stigma. Stigma is the single greatest barrier to people getting effective treatment. Leaders of a parish, diocese or other Catholic organizations can fight stigma by learning the signs of mental illness and reaching out to those living with the illness."

The organization offers "Each Day I will Recall that I am a Child of God" for anyone struggling with mental illness, as well as resources to help individuals and parishes grow their awareness of mental illness.

Also available is its: "Pastoral Response to Mental Illness: Resources for the Catholic Community," by the NCPD Council on Mental Illness. This document answers the questions: "Why is this important to my parish community?" "Do people with mental illness feel welcome in my parish?" and "Is recovery possible?" Other resources include: 10 facts parish leaders should know about mental illness; prayers of the faithful; and "Welcomed and Valued: Building Faith Communities of Support and Hope with People with Mental Illness and their Families," a study manual and DVD.

The Association of Catholic Health Mental Health Ministers exists to help parishes establish mental health ministries and provide spiritual support for those with mental illness and their families. Catholic dioceses, schools and other Catholic organizations also address the challenges of living with mental illness and offer online resources. Some of these include the Archdiocese of Baltimore, Archdiocese of Seattle Catholic Schools and Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston.

Prayer for Those Suffering Mental Illness

The following prayer is courtesy the Catholic Health Association of the United States.