Mental health – the topic itself causes inherent confusion and differences of opinion.
Yet, deep down, the reality is that it is something very important to the person’s health, their ability to function in social and professional circles, as well as their ability to develop and maintain healthy relationships in his personal life.
Scott held
Additionally, a person’s mental health affects their life in another way that is not often considered, their spiritual life, which is as important as any other area of their life.
Traditionally, mental health has not been a subject of scientific interest or understanding as it is today.
A good example of this, although less than a hundred years ago, was the famous incident in which Lt. Gen. George Patton, one of the most senior U.S. military leaders of World War II, beat and berated shell-shocked soldiers, even throwing them out of the medical tent where they were receiving treatment. In his mind and in his words, the soldiers were “weak”. The soldiers suffered from what is now commonly known as post-traumatic stress disorder and unfortunately, the general’s opinion of these men’s struggles would continue to exist in many minds for decades.
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Over time, from the mid-1900s to the early 2000s, science and studies continued to advance in understanding the effects of mental health on the individual. Fortunately, it also sparked a shift in public opinion regarding mental health. Those who were struggling went from being “crazy,” excluded and isolated to people who simply needed extra care, attention and help. Today, a stigma still exists against those who need and seek help for their mental health, but it has diminished significantly.
Many organizations in Montana and around the world make it part of their mission to serve and promote healing and healthy living for those seeking help, which will continue to lead to positive steps away from negative stigma the past.
About a year ago, I submitted an article to the Independent Record that was published and focused on the principles and direction of Catholic social teaching. In summary, Catholic social teaching guides all people, Catholic or not, in humanity’s journey toward creating a just and holy society.
The success of this journey requires everyone’s contribution, thriving through the participation of healthy community members ready to lead and lend a helping hand to those in need. Often, those who need help with their mental health are unable to fully participate in society due to the issues that afflict them.
They need a helping hand to fully contribute to society and be the ones to lend the same helping hand in the future. Like any health condition, this can be a difficult thing to achieve, but, with quality therapy and support, it can be managed and/or cured. Once managed and/or healed, a person can embrace the growth and joy of returning to full participation in society and helping those in the place they once were.
Likewise, the same progression happens naturally regarding a person and their spiritual life.
The world asks a lot of people, regardless of their mental health. Life can be stressful, anxiety-inducing and often difficult to manage. The work may be too hard. Family and friendships can be very difficult to maintain. Leaving home may seem impossible. Etc., etc.
With these problems wreaking havoc on the mind, spirituality suffers. When spirituality suffers, when the person struggles to feel the love and warmth that the Lord brings to them, they move further away from participation in society. The apparent loss of that love and warmth, which always exists and never leaves them, can lead them to a dark place.
It is our responsibility, regardless of our religious denomination or whether we identify as religious, to care for and lend a helping hand to those in need.
We are our brothers’ and sisters’ keepers, and it is up to us to ensure that they can live healthy, joyful, and spiritual lives. Without us, how can we expect them to recover from their afflictions? It doesn’t just happen. Indifference towards these issues is the greatest enemy. This would lead us to ask ourselves, “How can I help?”
Get out of your comfort zone and be generous. Take a course and learn about common mental health issues and how you can help someone in crisis. A good example of this is a program called Mental Health First Aid. Many professionals in the medical or social world know this, but this knowledge is useful to everyone.
Catholic Social Services of Montana (CSSM) plans to offer a training session in Helena through this program in 2024. Similar programs exist.
Another great way to help is to financially support a nonprofit organization that works in this area by providing counseling and other mental health services. There are a few, including CSSM, across the state who are doing their best to help and lend a helping hand to those in need by providing accessible counseling services. By providing accessible and inexpensive charitable services, these organizations help those who are struggling, but create a deficit themselves by paying their licensed professionals for the good work they do. A holiday gift or ongoing support helps them continue to grow their reach and serve those in Helena and Montana.
Mental health is a difficult subject and solutions are hard to find, but that doesn’t change the fact that it is our responsibility as participating members of our community to care for those in need, ‘especially since it will benefit their personal and spiritual lives.
We can only make the world a better place by serving others. As we think about how we can help those in need, let us pray to Saint Dymphna, the patroness of mental afflictions. “Saint Dymphna, patroness of those suffering from mental disorders, pray for us. Saint Dymphna, beloved child of Jesus and Mary, pray for us.
Have a wonderful holiday season, Merry Christmas and God bless.
Scott Held is executive director of Catholic Social Services of Montana
