I pray the Rosary every day, using it as a tool for peace and grounding. There is comfort in the repetition. Most mornings, I begin in a quiet, dark room with electronic candles glowing and the Rosary in hand. Those beads guide me into a moment of calm. For me, mental health and prayer go hand in hand- bead by bead.
I also use resources like the Hallow app to explore other prayers. Interestingly, research continues to confirm what many people of faith have always believed: prayer works. Studies show prayer can reduce anxiety and depression. When I did a quick Google search, I found countless articles affirming what I already knew in my heart. It’s fascinating how much time and money is being spent to prove what prayerful people have always experienced.
I didn’t need a study to tell me prayer works. Still, I admit there was a season in my life when I was cynical about its value- a period I think many Christians go through. I’m not sure when it finally clicked for me, but I’m grateful it did. Prayer has become a daily, essential part of my life.
The term “dark night” comes from the 16th-century saint and poet, St. John of the Cross, who wrote Dark Night of the Soul. His words resonate with anyone struggling under heavy burdens. I think of this often when I pray the Rosary’s fourth Sorrowful Mystery, Jesus carrying His cross. It always fills me with sadness. And yet, I am encouraged by examples like St. Mother Teresa, who never stopped praying through her own long “dark night of the soul.”
Two organizations also highlight prayer as a tool for those facing mental health challenges:
- NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) has created 31 Days of Prayer, offering unique daily prayers for caregivers and those living with mental health concerns. Caregivers often face isolation or feel pressured to put on a brave face, and these prayers give voice to their hidden struggles.
- The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) invites the faithful to pray the Novena for Mental Health. It begins on World Mental Health Day (Oct. 10) and ends on Oct. 18, the Feast of St. Luke, patron of healthcare workers, called “the beloved physician” in Colossians 4:14. This effort is part of the USCCB’s “Healing and Hope” initiative, launched to help address mental illness at the local level.
When I think of perseverance in prayer, I’m reminded of St. Monica, who prayed for her son St. Augustine for 30 years. If she could remain faithful for decades, I know I can commit to 31 days of prayer, or a novena, for those suffering with mental health struggles and for those who care for them.
By Linda Hopkins, Parish Mental Health Ministry Coordinator