On faith and mental health
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) issued a pastoral letter on July 13 on mental health, compassion, and hope. As someone who does not describe herself as particularly religious, this letter was surprisingly warm and welcoming. I have been used to homilies of my childhood where the priest admonished us for our sinful and greedy ways. My autonomy-seeking adolescent self bristled at the many “rules” that must be followed. Public statements from the Church tended to be stern reminders about how certain things are immoral. And so, for this recent pastoral letter to assure us that we can find emotional shelter and seek safety in the Church was a message that was long overdue.
This passage was especially striking to me: “Mental illness is not a sign of weak faith. It is not a punishment from God. Like any illness, it deserves understanding, appropriate care, and compassionate accompaniment. Every person, whatever his or her condition, is created in the image and likeness of God and possesses an inalienable dignity that no illness can ever take away.”
That this came from the Church is poignant. I have had a number of clients who needed to hear this. Not from me, not from a health-care professional, but from their pastor. Some psychological wounds cannot be treated by a mental health professional; they require a spiritual salve.
In mental health literature, religion and spirituality have long been recognized as avenues for coping and hope among Filipinos. Indigenously, we hold a holistic understanding of suffering, with no need to compartmentalize the physical, the psychological, and the spiritual. Our first “psychologists” were the indigenous healers, who healed both the body and the soul.
Faith is a strong protective factor for mental health, where belief in a higher power can serve as an unwavering source of hope regardless of the current circumstance. Faith practices, like prayer, encourage people to practice radical acceptance, letting go, and surrendering what is outside of our control. Faith and religion can anchor us to the “bigger picture” of life, such as the conception of heaven or reflections on what it means to be a good person, so as not to get overwhelmed by the minutiae of daily living. Faith also builds community, providing a nonjudgmental and welcoming space. In challenging times, they can be relied on for social support and a haven from isolation and loneliness.
Somewhere along the way, however, religion has also become an exacerbating factor in mental health concerns. When rigid rules and norms are imposed, not being able to comply perfectly can bring about crushing guilt and shame. Concepts of punishment and eternal damnation can lead to hopelessness and despair, especially when there is no room for redemption. Rituals to prostrate oneself, while a way to instill humility, can instead become fodder for low self-worth and chronic inadequacy.
I’ve seen too many times where religion was misused to invalidate people’s experiences and sense of self. We have encountered clients who avoid religious therapists, fearing that they would be judged. The parental advice to “just pray about it,” despite good intentions, can feel dismissive. With families, there can be a tension between religious fealty and loving your child unconditionally.
The pastoral letter clarifies significant misconceptions regarding mental health. Suffering from mental illness is not a sign that we have failed in our religious duty. It also acknowledged that suffering is caused by systemic factors, such as poverty and injustice, and by aspects of modern life, such as online gambling and artificial intelligence. What is especially remarkable is the letter’s asking for forgiveness from families who have lost loved ones to suicide and who felt shunned and abandoned. Mental illness is not a judgment—and definitely not a punishment—but a reality we face together as a community.
The “inalienable dignity” they describe counters the depression-causing cognition of “I am unlovable.” It asserts that people, through their humanity, are always deserving of love, care, and respect. It puts forward the idea that people are inherently worthy of grace and compassion.
The CBCP takes it a step further and encourages churches to offer counseling and ensure that every person who needs it has access. It is worth reiterating their stated commitment: no one should suffer alone. There are many Filipinos who do not feel comfortable talking to a mental health professional. Having other avenues to seek help and support, especially those that validate your religious beliefs, is essential when tackling the mental health epidemic.
I am sure many have felt solace upon reading the pastoral letter. I also hope that it does not end with this and that the Church does indeed accompany us, not just with our mental illness, but with the social ills that plague us.
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aatuazon@up.edu.ph
