Introduction
It is hard to disagree that an extended number of people can struggle with their unstable mental health. Teenagers frequently suffer post-traumatic stress disorder; young adults can be diagnosed with anxiety or panic attacks; and older people often develop depression due to their loneliness. Statistics show that “7.1% of children aged 3-17 years have diagnosed anxiety,” and 3.2% have depression (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). The problem of people’s unstable mental health is getting more serious nowadays because of COVID-19 isolation. Unfortunately, while it is necessary to continue fighting the disease, many individuals lose hope, not believing that they can get better. That is the issue that the Catholic Church can help with. Despite the fact that numerous people are not religious and do not admit the power of God, the Catholic Church actually contributes to strengthening the nation’s faith and mental health and supporting those who are too weak to go through their problems alone.
The Catholic Church’s History and Mission
Before discussing the impact of the Catholic Church on the social issue, it is important to talk about its history and mission. To begin with, “the history of the Catholic Church begins with the teachings of Jesus Christ,” and after 476, it becomes a powerful political and social institution that spreads throughout Europe (“The Catholic Church”). Over the centuries, Catholicism went through different stages and was impacted by wars and reforms to take the form that it has today. The head of the global Catholic Church is the pope.
Further, as a non-profit organization, it has its own mission. Of course, the Catholic Church as a whole aims at spreading its teachings and glorify God so that more and more people join Catholicism. However, the Church has the Catholic Charities – a special network directly involved in helping people and spreading the awareness of the severity of psychological conditions. Their mission is to “build a community of warmth and affection in the Church for people living with mental illness” (Association of Catholic Mental Health Ministers).
The Social Issue Addressed by the Catholic Church
As mentioned in the introduction, the nation’s mental health is now deteriorating. Decades ago, many psychological disorders were not recognized as an issue, and people that suffered from them were recommended to just work and walk more (“Catholics must accompany people with mental illness”). Nowadays, the situation is different, and individuals can get medical help if they are diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, depression, ADHD, schizophrenia, and other conditions.
Nevertheless, despite medical support and treatment options, it may happen that a person loses any motivation to get healed. There is a vast number of factors that can worsen one’s mental state. For example, problems at work or in the family; peers’ unwelcomeness; discrimination; someone’s careless statement; COVID-19 self-isolation; stress; genetics; poor nutrition; or addictions can make it much more difficult for an individual to cope with their condition. Thus, some people lose hope and may even commit suicide (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Fisher). The situation is severe all around the globe. For instance, in Australia, “1 in 7 young Australians experiences a significant mental health issue” (Fisher). Thankfully, the Catholic Church now plays a significant role in supporting individuals with mental diseases and helping them find comfort and healing in religion.
The Church’s Contribution to the Solution
There are several ways the Catholic Church helps people recover from their illnesses. For example, persons with mental disorders are supported; get specific prayers; receive church bulletins with helpful information; can get healing services; and feel the love of God that makes one hope for the better and fight with their disorder. The Church’s strategy is rather effective, and it brings a colossal difference. According to Lerman et al., “among older individuals (65+ years old) reporting “never” participating in religious activities compared to more than once per week was associated with an 80% higher likelihood of having high depressive symptomatology” and anxiety symptomatology.
Addressing Opposing Viewpoint
Despite research on the topic and statistics that prove the fact that the faith and the Catholic Church, in particular, can have a positive and healing influence on people’s mental health, some persons deny it. Such people also operate with the fact that “increased mental health problems are often found amongst those with a strict religious upbringing,” which for them eliminates the positive effect of the Catholic Church (The Mental Health Foundation). From their point of view, only proper medications and psychotherapy can help mentally ill individuals get better and cope with their state. As a matter of fact, there is some truth in their words since there is a certain group of people who never turns to any religion while experiencing psychological difficulties. They do not believe in God’s existence and help, but only in their own ability to heal, as well as in the power of medicines, the professionalism of psychologists, and the support of family and friends.
However, it is pointless to deny what is proven by the data collected over time. Interviews with Catholics who either work in the Church or have themselves experienced the power of religion in the fight against mental illness prove that the Catholic Church makes colossal and effective efforts to help individuals with psychological conditions. Deacon Tom Lambert says: “One of the most healing things we can do as people of faith is to listen to others, hear what they’re going through, and meet their spiritual needs” (“Catholics Must Accompany People with Mental Illness”). Therefore, it is necessary to mention that everyone is free to choose their own way of coping with mental health problems, but the Catholic Church’s contribution should be recognized.
The Way to Support the Catholic Church Achieve Its Mission
Even though the Church is successful with helping people and it is a worldwide non-profit organization, it still requires the community’s support. Apart from kind words and prayers, it is also possible to provide material assistance, with the help of which the Church can produce brochures with information on mental illness, train priests on how to recognize a person with psychological conditions, and conduct activities aimed at communicating with such people and their families. The Catholic Charities accepts “in-kind donations” that make it possible for it to continue its fight with the nation’s mental disorders, so it is encouraged to support it (Association of Catholic Mental Health Ministers).
Conclusion
To draw a conclusion, one may say that supporting the Catholic Church is essential in order to allow it to help a greater number of mentally ill people. Everyone deserves to live a happy and healthy life, and it is fantastic that the Catholics are eager to assist people in regaining motivation and hope, notwithstanding their religious views. When suffering from any mental condition, it is vital for the patient not to feel alone and isolated. In case there is no encouragement from friends and family, the Church is ready to become the source of support and care, which will be healing for both Catholics and non-Catholics. In order for the Church’s efforts to be greater and more effective, it is welcomed if the society contributes to the process. Therefore, it is necessary to notice that the nation should unite against the issue of deteriorating mental health, and more people should donate to the Catholic Charities.
Works Cited
Association of Catholic Mental Health Ministers. “Our Mission.”
“Catholics Must Accompany People with Mental Illness.” U.S. Catholic, vol. 84, no. 3, 2019, pp. 28–32.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Data and Statistics on Children’s Mental Health.” CDC, 2021.
Fisher, Anthony. “Addresses and Statements: Religion and Mental Health.” Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney, 2019.
Lerman et al. “Religiosity Prevalence and Its Association with Depression and Anxiety Symptoms Among Hispanic/Latino Adults.” PLoS ONE, vol. 13, no. 2.
“The Catholic Church.” Lumen. Web.
The Mental Health Foundation. “The Impact of Spirituality on Mental Health.” Web.