Catholic News

As a human being, a child of God, we are designed to be in connection with others and most of all with our Creator. A person’s ability to form intimacy with others determines one’s ability to live a full life.

Other times, investigating a simple issue reveals deeper problems that require a third party’s guidance. While a counselor cannot “fix” a marriage, she can provide the tools to identify core issues and teach effective communication which ideally leads to a deeper connection and a stronger marriage.

As Catholics, we are called to love our neighbor as ourselves, especially in times of struggle. By seeking professional support, checking in with one another and ourselves, strengthening healthy habits such as stress reduction and proper nutrition, and seeking spiritual guidance, we can foster deeper connection and compassion.

As I have traveled through our diocese over the years, it is clear to me how important it is for people of faith to seek the needed balance between mind, body and spirit. Our mental health is crucial for our overall wellbeing as persons made in the image and likeness of God.

We aren’t just “sprinkling Bible verses” on top of self-help. We are inviting Christ into the very biology of our stress. For example, in Week 2 of our four-week program, we look at the Gospel of John alongside brain biology to understand how to rewire our response to triggers. We use the tools God gave us—both scientific and spiritual—to move from chronic stress to Christ-centered calm.

Spiritual growth benefits mental health

Mental health awareness event brings needed information and experts to Northern Idaho Randal and Lisa Ormond on the beach in Florence,...