Symptoms of any mental health condition are common nowadays. Terms, such as depressed, OCD, ADHD, gaslighting, and anxious thoughts, are part of this common vernacular. 

Probably you’ve discussed with an older adult or your peers in your life about faith and mental health. What’s the relationship between the two? Let’s find out.

The link between mental health and faith involves different aspects of a person’s life. These aspects include coping mechanisms, social interactions, and belief systems. Non-profit organizations, like Share The Struggle say that people who engage in spiritual or religious practices exhibit a lower level of depression, anxiety, and stress. These practices also strengthen the immune system, facilitate the process of recovery, and reduce the risks of some illnesses.

When struggling with your mental health, it would be best to look for ways of connecting with that part of you that has faith. Well, this can be different for other people in the following ways:

  1. Healthy Behaviors

All belief systems have tenets. These tenets encourage behaviors, such as not drinking or doing drugs. But it goes beyond that; probably your faith motivates you to dedicate time for meditation and prayers. By investing time to practice some self-care activities, you will reduce stress and boost your mental wellness. Worship, prayers, and other religious activities help with mental wellness as they trigger relaxation responses.

  1. Purpose & Structure

Being part of a faith-centered group or church helps those who are managing mental conditions establish a healthy routine. For instance, going for a weekly Bible study or church service will provide encouragement and structure to consistently practice self-care. Moreover, having faith allows you to serve by being part of a ministry and offering a word of encouragement to people who are going through a very rough time. This capability to help other people gives you a sense of purpose and serves as a motivation to follow through with treatment plans.

  1. Hope

Sometimes it is difficult to hold on to hope, especially when you have depression. However, your hope may help you to find a way through those dark clouds. Faith helps to create a feeling of hope. Although this may not work out right away, you will hold onto the faith that things will be better.

  1. Sense of Community

People with mental health problems struggle a lot to maintain and form relationships, and for most people, isolation compounds the challenges they face. A caring community of faith may help to provide connection and prevent loneliness, and this, in turn, eases the burden of living with a mental illness. In other words, communities of faith are places of support and encouragement and can serve as a source of listening ears and practical help.

The bottom line is that the link between mental health and faith is powerful and multifaceted. The peace, understanding, hope, and community that the Christian faith offers serve as a strong tool to promote good mental health. As you strive for a holistic approach to better mental health, integrating faith with a traditional treatment method is worth considering.