What does the Church have to say about mental illness?
"Whoever suffers from mental illness 'always' bears God's image and
likeness in himself, as does every human being In addition, he
'always' has the inalienable right not only to be considered as an
image of God and therefore as a person, but also to be treated as
such." “In his infinite love, God is always close to those who are
suffering. Depressive illness can be a way to discover other aspects
of oneself and new forms of encounter with God. Christ listens to
the cry of those whose boat is rocked by the storm (cf. Mk 4:
35-41). He is present beside them to help them in the crossing and
guide them to the harbour of rediscovered peace.” Pope John Paul
II
It is necessary to take action to "fully overcome
the stigma that mental illness is often tainted with". He said
it is necessary to replace the "mentally of discarding, according to
which greater care and attention is given to those who deliver
productive benefits to society", with a "culture of community".
Pope Francis
For more resources and information:
https://catholicmhm.org/documents-and-books
Hope and Healing: A Pastoral Letter from the Bishops of
California
https://files.ecatholic.com/31862/documents/2022/4/hopeandhealingenglish-2.pdf
A Prayer for Mental Health
(Mental Health
Awareness month is May; Mental Illness Awareness week 1st week of
October)
God of love, we celebrate our faith and your encouragement for
acceptance, wholeness, and inclusion of all your people. We give
thanks for this church and the ways we seek to live out Jesus’
commandment to love You, and to love our neighbors as ourselves.
During this Mental Health Awareness month (or Mental Illness
Awareness week), we pray for all people who live with mental
illness, particularly those who go untreated due to inability to
access care.
We particularly pray for an end to the stigma of mental
challenges and especially for those who do not realize they live
with a mental illness that can be treated. We pray for families
torn apart by mental health diseases and addictions, and for
families that hold-on-to one another during difficult times of
illness. We pray for those who have lost a loved one to suicide, and
those who will take their own lives on this very day.
We pray for children, teens, and young adults learning how to
live with newly diagnosed brain diseases. We pray for people
burdened by labels and stereotypes, and those who are victims of
bullying and discrimination because of their differences. Help our
society to be more compassionate of differently-abled people.
We pray for mental health caregivers, for scientific researchers,
and for professionals who seek to bring compassion, treatment and
healing to those who suffer from brain disorders.
We give thanks for the many gifts that people who live with brain
disorders bring into the world and celebrate the creative genius of
artists, scientists, authors, athletes, scholars, business leaders,
actors, musicians, inventors, and presidents who live with mental
illness. We applaud those who shine light on their illness so others
may feel less stigmatized. Almighty and awesome God, as the
mysteries of the human brain continue to unfold, we remain in awe of
the intricate ways in which we are created in your image.
We ask for the intercession of saints who have gone before us who
themselves have experienced mental health struggles: Saints Dymphna
(patron of those with mental illness, incest victims and those whose
parents died), Benedict Joseph Labre (patron of those with illnesses
of the human mind), Christina the Astonishing (patroness of those
with severe mental illness), Venerable Matt Talbot (patron of those
with addictions and alcoholism).
We implore the kind and loving intercession of Our Lady of
Lourdes, the patroness of healing.
May we always strive to be
reflections of your love in this world. Amen.
St. Dymphna is Patroness of those who suffer with mental
and nervous disorders
St. Dymphna has become increasingly popular in recent years as
someone to turn to when experiencing worry, fear, and anxiety.
Saint Dymphna can be invoked for help with a range of mental health
issues, from daily stress to the more serious disorders.
Her story: She was born in the 7th century to a royal
family in Ireland. Her mother was a devout Catholic, but her
father Damon was not religious. The upbringing and care from
her mother instilled a deep faith in Dymphna. However, her
mother died when Dymphna was around 14 years old. In his
grief, Damon suffered from severe mental illness to the point of
near insanity. He decided to marry Dymphna to replace his
wife, but the girl fled to Geel, Belgium with two family servants
and a priest, Saint Gerebernus. Unfortunately, Damon tracked
down his daughter. After killing the priest, the soldiers were
ordered to cut off Dymphna’s head if she refused to marry her
father.
Remaining true to her faith, the teenager refused to comply.
Damon’s response was to kill his daughter by his own hand.
Dymphna is the patron saint of mental illness, as well as
therapists, incest victims, and the loss of parents.
Dymphna was buried in Geel. When her body was discovered in
the 13th century, cures and miracles were being attributed to her,
especially for people with epilepsy and people with mental illness.
But the most outstanding miracle is one that began centuries ago and
still continues to this day. In the 13th century, an
institution was built in Geel where people with mental illness are
admitted for a short time. Following the initial treatment,
these patients are then placed with families in the village with
whom they live and work side by side. The patients receive
treatment without formality and gain greatly by the normal lifestyle
offered to them by the villagers. The villagers see them as a
part of their lives and have for centuries. In the context of
institutionalization, deinstitutionalization, and
reinstitutionalization (in prisons) in our country, this truly is
miraculous. All of this is attributed to a simple young
princess who lost her life in defense of doing the right thing.
St. Dymphna is a legend and a model and has left a legacy for care
and treatment of people with mental illness that defies the “wisdom”
and sophistication of our own time.
Click here for a story about Geel:
https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2016/07/01/484083305/for-centuries-a-small-town-has-embraced-strangers-with-mental-illness
Prayer to St. Dymphna (Feast Day:
May 15)
Good St. Dymphna, great wonder-worker in
every affliction of mind and body. I humbly implore your
powerful intercession with Jesus through Mary, the Health of the
Sick, in my present need (mention it). St. Dymphna, martyr of
purity, patroness of those who suffer with nervous and mental
afflictions, beloved child of Jesus and Mary, pray to Them for me
and obtain my request. (Pray one Our Father, one Hail Mary,
and one Glory Be).
Saint Dymphna, Virgin and Martyr, pray for us!
Prayer for Inclusion
Creator God, we are your
people.
We look to the future with optimism and with faith in
you,
As we pursue our call to provide justice and fullness of
life
For all people with mental illness.
We pray that every
man, woman and child
May develop their potential and meet you
In themselves and in one another.
May we enjoy a totally
welcoming community,
With you as our center, joined hand in hand
with our sisters and brothers.
We ask this in Jesus’s name. Amen.
Based on the Pastoral Statement of US Catholic Bishops on
People with Disabilities –
NCPD Council (National Catholic
Partnership on Disability)
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