Ave Explores Series | Stress, Anxiety, and Mental Health | Week 1
Why Mental Health?
by Katie Prejean McGrady
Bishop James Conley of the Diocese of Lincoln recently announced he was taking a temporary leave of absence so he could focus on healing from depression, anxiety, chronic insomnia, and debilitating tinnitus. “It is has been difficult to accept that my mental health problems are real health problems and not just a defect of my character,” he said when announcing his sabbatical.
I was struck by Conley’s vulnerability, especially since he is the leader of a large diocese which dealt with sexual abuse allegations against a deceased priest during the past eighteen months. Conley’s honesty also gives me great hope. People are talking more about mental health and making it a priority in their own lives. There seems to be less of a stigma attached to it as well.
Even before Conley’s announcement, the Ave Explores team was already planning to tackle topics surrounding stress, anxiety, and mental health. The goal is to provide relevant and Catholic-focused information about mental health and to help those who are suffering find love and hope in the midst of those struggles.
It hasn’t always been easy to talk about these issues. Many people carry a great sense of shame and self-doubt when it comes to matters of mental health. Fear and worry cause those who are already suffering from these issues ask questions such as, “Will people judge me for struggling with depression? Will they think less of me because I’m dealing with anxiety? Will my family treat me differently? Will coworkers and bosses rely less on me? Will friends avoid me?” These are thoughts that pass through the hearts and minds of many, if not most, folks who face challenges with stress, anxiety, and mental health issues.
But here’s what’s most profound: pretty much everyone suffers from some kind of stress, anxiety, or mental health issue at some point in their lives.
According to a 2019 study, almost half of adults will experience a mental illness during their lifetime, with half of all mental disorders beginning by age 14 and three quarters by age 24. In 2019, only 41 percent of the people who had a mental health issue received professional health care or other services.
Mental health struggles, intense stress, and generalized anxiety are not isolated things that we can ignore because it may be inconvenient or uncomfortable to talk about. They are the norm for many at some point in their life. Having honest, open, vulnerable, helpful, and hopeful conversations about mental health should be a priority for all of us, especially Catholics.
Catholicism is not a solution to problems of mental health, nor is religion a quick fix when it comes to legitimate struggles and diagnoses. However, Catholicism is a religion rooted in the love of Jesus Christ and the ministry of the Church is imminently concerned with the welfare and wellbeing of the people of God. Part of serving and loving those people is ensuring they are not only mentally healthy, but are able to find the help and care they need when they are struggling.
Maybe you’ve dealt with depression, anxiety, or addiction? Maybe you’ve found yourself deep in the pit of despair, loneliness, fear, worry, and doubt? Maybe you’ve watched family members or friends struggle to find mental health and stability and you haven’t known what to say or how to help them? Maybe you’ve walked through the valley of the shadow of death, grief so intense and real that getting out of bed in the morning isn’t a remote possibility? Maybe you’ve experienced the loss of a loved one to suicide, or struggled with suicidal thoughts yourself?
Ave Explores will look at various questions related to stress, anxiety, and mental health, including:
- How can we have honest conversations about mental health?
- What are some fruitful pathways to health and healing?
- Where can we find hope, especially in the midst of grief and addiction?
- Why are we made for hope and healing?
With the help of professionals and those who have struggled with stress, anxiety, and other mental health issues, we’re offering insights, resources, and suggestions for a path to healing and a road to hope in the midst of dark and scary times. We’ve also asked our team of experts to provide resources for you to get more information.
Download this article as a PDF here.
Katie Prejean McGrady is a Catholic speaker and the project manager of Ave Explores. She is also the author of Room 24 and Follow.
If you are in crisis or you think you may have an emergency, call your doctor or 911 immediately. If you're having suicidal thoughts, dial 988 to talk to a skilled, trained counselor at a crisis center in your area at any time (National Suicide Prevention Lifeline). If you are located outside the United States, call your local emergency line immediately.
With the help of professionals and those who have struggled with stress, anxiety, and other mental health issues, we’re offering insights, resources, and suggestions for a path to healing and a road to hope in the midst of dark and scary times.
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