Our divine right to mental health
Sometimes mental well-being can seem subject to forces beyond our control. But we all have a God-given ability to find lasting freedom from whatever would cloud our stability, joy, and peace of mind.
At times, mental health and well-being can seem vulnerable. But there’s a powerful antidote to mental health issues of any kind: the recognition that we are all children of God, created to reflect the one divine Mind. This Mind is eternal, unchanging, pure good. Praying from the standpoint of these spiritual facts helps bring to light, in tangible ways, the stability, joy, and wholeness that the Divine has bestowed on all of us.
We’ve compiled some pieces from The Christian Science Publishing Society’s archives that highlight the healing power of prayer in tackling mental health issues, offering inspiration for your prayers on this topic – whether you’re struggling with your own mental well-being, caring for a loved one, or praying for our fellow men and women more generally.
The author of “Mental stability – possible for everyone” shares inspiration that brought healing and peace of mind after she started to experience frightening symptoms of a mental breakdown similar to what other members of her family had faced.
In “Mental health that’s permanent and secure,” the author shares how she found complete and permanent freedom from mental darkness and self-destructive behaviors as she learned about God as divine Mind.
“How can I think about ... self-harm?” is a podcast* in which two individuals share heartfelt stories illustrating how healing of the impulse to self-harm is possible.
“Freedom from severe anxiety and depression” conveys a woman’s journey to complete healing after decades of mental health difficulties.
In “Mental health: a new view,” a woman shares how seeing goodness as innate in every individual as God’s image consistently informed her work in a variety of positions throughout her career – whether at a psychiatric center or a prison – and can help us more effectively address and heal mental health issues.
“Support for teens’ mental health” explores how we can prayerfully stand up for all young people’s right to feel safe and confident and to know they’re not alone in thinking through tough issues.
*This podcast is from a five-part Sentinel Watch podcast series running through the month of October that offers a spiritual and healing perspective on mental health issues. You can check out the series here on JSH-Online.com.