Does Praying Help With Mental Health?
We all encounter challenging situations, and we fight when we’re unsure what to do. For those dealing with mental health issues, the feeling of being overwhelmed can be relentless. Despite our desire for perfection, we live in a damaged world where aspirations may go unfulfilled. Still, there is hope. There is so much hope. There is some goodness. A prayer for mental health can ease severe distress or improve your ability to handle it.
As some studies suggest, prayer and spiritual practices help mental health by offering comfort, community support, and coping methods. The positive effects may be tied to these practices’ psychological and social aspects, contributing to stress reduction, greater resilience, and a sense of purpose.
Prayer can take various forms and doesn’t necessarily have to be directed towards traditional notions of “God” or deities. It can be a personal and reflective practice, a way to reflect, find solace, or connect with something greater than oneself, whatever that may be. In a broad sense, prayer can encompass diverse spiritual beliefs, mindfulness, or conversations with one’s inner thoughts and feelings.
Prayers for Mental Health
Everyone’s experience is different, and addressing mental health should involve a comprehensive approach that considers both spiritual practices and evidence-based interventions.
Pray for Mental Health and Recovery
“O God, the strength of the weak and the comfort of sufferers: Mercifully accept our prayers, and grant to Your children who suffer with mental illnesses the help of Your power, that their sickness may be turned into health, and our concern into joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.”
— A Christian prayer for mental health
For the Sick Person
“O Father of mercies and God of all comfort, our only help in time of need: We humbly ask that You behold, visit, and relieve those who suffer from depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, and other mental illnesses. Look upon them with the eyes of Your mercy; comfort them with a sense of Your goodness; preserve them from the temptations of the enemy; and give them patience under their affliction. In Your good time, restore them to health, and enable them to lead the rest of their life in reverence of You and to Your glory. Grant that finally they may dwell with You in life everlasting, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.”
— A Catholic prayer for mental health healing
Anyone can experience mental health problems. Friends and family can make all the difference in a person’s recovery process. You can help your friend or family member by recognizing the signs of mental health problems and connecting them to professional help.
Talking to friends and family about mental health problems can be an opportunity to provide information, support, and guidance. Learning about mental health issues can lead to the following:
- Improved recognition of early signs of mental health problems.
- Earlier treatment.
- Greater understanding and compassion.
Praying for Mental Health, Strength, and Confidence
“Heavenly Father, giver of life and health: Comfort and relieve those challenged by serious and chronic mental and emotional illnesses. Give Your power of healing to those who minister to their needs, that they may be strengthened in their weakness and have confidence in Your loving care; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.”
— A prayer for mental health Catholic version
Prayers can help and give comfort to us. If a friend or family member is showing signs of a mental health problem or reaching out to you for help, you can also offer support by:
- Find out if the person is getting the care that he or she needs and wants—if not, connect him or her to help.
- Expressing your concern and support.
- Reminding your friend or family member that help is available and that mental health problems can be treated.
- Asking questions, listening to ideas, and being responsive when mental health problems arise.
- Reassuring your friend or family member that you care about him or her.
- Offering to help your friend or family member with everyday tasks.
- Including your friend or family member in your plans—continue to invite him or her without being overbearing, even if your friend or family member resists your invitations.
- Educating other people by making them understand the facts about mental health problems and not discriminate.
- Treating people with mental health problems with respect, compassion, and empathy.
Prayers for Doctors, Nurses, and Mental Health Care Providers
“Sanctify, O Lord, those whom You have called to the study and practice of the arts of healing, and to the prevention disease and pain. Strengthen them by Your life-giving Spirit, that by their ministries the health of the community may be promoted and Your creation glorified; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.”
Therapists are naturally compassionate, often drawing them to this career. However, listening to clients describe their struggles and trauma regularly can also affect the professional’s mental health. Even the most mentally stable individual often needs help coping with life’s challenges, such as transitional periods, family conflict, loss, and grief. Therapists also experience these hardships and need to purge emotions and receive support.
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Learn More:
- 8 Prayers for Anxiety and Depression that Provide Calmness
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- 30 Bible Verses About Depression to Help You Through Your Darkest Hours
- 4 Noble Truths. Recovery and The Eightfold Path. Meditation and Refuge Recovery.
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- Guide to Anxiety Meditation 5-10 Minute Mindfulness Techniques
- ACCEPTS DBT – Dialectical Behavior Therapy Tools
- Inspiring Self-Love Quotes to Help You Feel Your Best
We Level Up FL Mental Health Treatment Center Tips To Cope With Mental Illness
✅ To cope with mental illness, incorporating both spiritual and science-based approaches can be beneficial.
✅ Engaging in mindfulness practices, such as meditation or deep-breathing exercises, provides a scientifically supported way to manage stress and anxiety. Also, connecting with a supportive spiritual community or finding solace in personal beliefs can offer emotional comfort.
✅ Remember to seek professional help and maintain a balanced lifestyle with proper sleep, nutrition, and exercise, as these are all essential for comprehensive mental health care.
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Prayer for Depression and Anxiety
The word “authority” means “delegated power,” which means the value of our authority rests in the power behind it. Matthew 28:18 says, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” When we put our faith in God, His authority is our authority. This is excellent news for those who believe because the God of the universe is the power behind our authority. We can face the enemy fearlessly when we understand this and know how to exercise that authority.
Below are scriptures specific to different mental health challenges we have gathered to guide you on initiating a prayer for mental illness.
Scripture to Combat Depression
- Psalm 34:17
- “The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles.”
- Psalm 42:11
- “Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will praise him, my Savior and God.”
- 2 Corinthians 1: 3-4
- “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we receive from God.”
- Psalm 40: 1-3
- “I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the LORD and put their trust in him.”
Scripture to Combat Anxiety
- Philippians 4:6-7
- “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
- Jeremiah 29:11
- “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not evil, to give you a future and a hope.”
- John 14:27
- “Peace is what I leave with you; it is my peace that I give you. I do not give it as the world does. Do not be worried and upset; do not be afraid.”
Understanding Mental Illness Fact Sheet
There are more than 200 types of mental illness. People can experience different types of mental illnesses or disorders, and they can often occur at the same time. Mental illnesses can occur over a short period or be episodic. This means that mental illness comes and goes with discrete beginnings and ends. Mental illness can also be ongoing or long-lasting.
The following are the latest statistics available from the National Institute of Mental Health Disorders, part of the National Institutes of Health:
- Mental health disorders account for several of the top causes of disability in established market economies, such as the U.S. and worldwide. They include major depression (also called clinical depression), manic depression (also called bipolar disorder), schizophrenia, and obsessive-compulsive disorder.
- An estimated 26% of Americans ages 18 and older — about 1 in 4 adults — suffer from a diagnosable mental disorder in a given year.
- Many people suffer from more than one mental disorder at a given time. In particular, depressive illnesses co-occur with substance abuse and anxiety disorders.
- Approximately 9.5% of American adults, ages 18 and over, will suffer from a depressive illness (major depression, bipolar disorder, or dysthymia) each year.
- Women are nearly twice as likely to suffer from major depression than men. However, men and women are equally likely to develop bipolar disorder.
- While major depression can develop at any age, the average age at onset is the mid-20s.
- With bipolar disorder, which affects approximately 2.6% of Americans age 18 and older in a given year — the average age at onset for a first manic episode is during the early 20s.
- Most people who commit suicide have a diagnosable mental disorder — most commonly a depressive disorder or a substance abuse disorder.
- Four times as many men than women commit suicide. However, women attempt suicide more often than men.
- The highest suicide rates in the U.S. are found in Caucasian men over 85. However, suicide is also one of the leading causes of death in adolescents and adults ages 15 to 24.
- Approximately 1% of Americans are affected by schizophrenia.
- In most cases, schizophrenia first appears in men during their late teens or early 20s. In women, schizophrenia often first appears during their 20s or early 30s.
- About 18% of people ages 18- 54 in a given year have an anxiety disorder in a given year. Anxiety disorders include panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), and phobias (social phobia, agoraphobia, and specific phobia).
- Panic disorder typically develops in late adolescence or early adulthood.
- The first symptoms of OCD often begin during childhood or adolescence.
- GAD can begin at any time, though the risk is highest between childhood and middle age.
- Individuals with OCD frequently can have problems with substance abuse or depressive or eating disorders.
- Social phobia typically begins in childhood or adolescence.
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To understand mental health disorders, sometimes it is helpful to make a comparison to a physical illness. For example, many people get sick with a cold or flu, but only a few get sick with something severe like pneumonia. People who have a cold are usually able to do their everyday activities. However, if they get pneumonia, they will have to take medicine and may have to go to the hospital.
Similarly, feelings of sadness, anxiety, worry, irritability, or sleep problems are typical for most people. However, when these feelings get very intense, last for an extended time, and begin to interfere with school, work, and relationships, it may be a sign of a mental health problem. And just like people need to take medicine and get professional help for physical conditions, someone with a mental health problem may need to take medicine and participate in therapy to recover.
Do you need help starting a conversation about mental health? Try leading with these questions, and listen actively to your friend or family member’s response.
- I’ve been worried about you. Can we talk about what you are experiencing? If not, who are you comfortable talking to?
- What can I do to help you talk about issues with your parents or someone who is responsible and cares about you?
- What else can I help you with?
- I am someone who cares and wants to listen. What do you want me to know about how you are feeling?
- Who or what has helped you deal with similar issues in the past?
- Sometimes, talking to someone who has dealt with a similar experience helps. Do you know of others who have experienced these problems with whom you can talk?
- It seems like you are going through a difficult time. How can I help you to find help?
- How can I help you find more information about mental health problems?
- I’m concerned about your safety. Have you thought about harming yourself or others?
When talking about mental health problems:
- Know how to connect people to help.
- Communicate straightforwardly.
- Speak at a level appropriate to a person’s age and development level.
- Discuss the topic of when and where the person feels safe and comfortable.
- Watch for reactions during the discussion and slow down or back up if the person becomes confused or looks upset.
We hope you have gained strength through this article about prayer for mental health. If you think your friend or family member needs mental health services, you can find help by reaching us at We Level Up FL mental health treatment center.
Suppose you or someone you know is dealing with mental health disorders that affect their daily functioning. In that case, We Level Up Florida Mental Health Treatment Center provides personalized care with a team of experienced professionals. Begin your journey towards better health by taking the first step towards healing. Get help. Call We Level Up FL now. Each call is free and confidential.
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Top 5 Most Common FAQs About Mental Health Treatment
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What is residential treatment for mental health?
Residential treatment is precisely what it sounds like – clients reside at the treatment center where they not only go about daily life in a supportive environment alongside peers but receive frequent support from specialized doctors, therapists, and other mental health experts.
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What to do when someone refuses mental health treatment?
Struggling in recovery is a natural experience. It’s helpful to use these experiences as learning moments. It’s also messy and takes time. Sometimes good choices are made—and sometimes bad decisions are made. But hopefully, with the proper support, we get where we need to be. You may contact a mental health professional to guide you in intervention and support someone in denial. But if your loved one presents an immediate danger to themselves or someone else, or if they are having a psychotic break or a drug overdose, it may make sense to have them hospitalized against their will.
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How long is inpatient mental health treatment?
An inpatient mental health treatment can vary depending on your program and needs. Inpatient is usually around two weeks to thirty days. These services help you get safe and stable if you are a threat to yourself or others.
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How much is inpatient mental health treatment?
It depends as there’s a wide range of costs for staying in a residential treatment facility. The good news is you may be able to access several benefits from your health insurance if you have a mental health problem. Benefits can help you pay for daily food, rent, and childcare. And you can claim some benefits even if you’re working.
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When to seek mental health treatment?
Professional help might be needed if you experience marked changes in personality, eating, or sleeping patterns, an inability to cope with problems or daily activities, and the feeling of disconnection or withdrawal from everyday activities. Don’t hesitate to seek help when you feel overwhelmed or when your mental health is affecting your relationships, work, or overall quality of life.
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Sources
- How can a prayer for mental health help? Prayer and healing: A medical and scientific perspective on randomized controlled trials. Andrade C, Radhakrishnan R. Indian J Psychiatry. 2009 Oct-Dec;51(4):247-53. Doi: 10.4103/0019-5545.58288. PMID: 20048448; PMCID: PMC2802370.
- Mental health: strengthening our response – Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Prayer for Depression and Anxiety – related articles.
- Mental Illness – National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
- Galderisi S, Heinz A, Kastrup M, Beezhold J, Sartorius N. Toward a new definition of mental health. World Psychiatry. 2015 Jun;14(2):231-3. DOI: 10.1002/wps.20231. PMID: 26043341; PMCID: PMC4471980. Prayer for Mental Illness & Prayer for Depression and Anxiety – related articles.
- Manwell LA, Barbic SP, Roberts K, Durisko Z, Lee C, Ware E, McKenzie K. What is mental health? Evidence towards a new definition from a mixed methods multidisciplinary, international survey. BMJ Open. 2015 Jun 2;5(6):e007079. DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2014-007079. PMID: 26038353; PMCID: PMC4458606. Prayer for Mental Illness & Prayer for Depression and Anxiety – related articles.
- National Collaborating Centre for Mental Health (UK). Common Mental Health Disorders: Identification and Pathways to Care. Leicester (UK): British Psychological Society (UK); 2011. (NICE Clinical Guidelines, No. 123.) 2, COMMON MENTAL HEALTH DISORDERS. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK92254/
- Krystal JH, State MW. Psychiatric disorders: diagnosis to therapy. Cell. 2014 Mar 27;157(1):201-14. DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2014.02.042. PMID: 24679536; PMCID: PMC4104191. Prayer for Mental Illness & Prayer for Depression and Anxiety – related articles.
- National Institutes of Health (US); Biological Sciences Curriculum Study. NIH Curriculum Supplement Series [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Institutes of Health (US); 2007. Information about Mental Illness and the Brain. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK20369/
- Malla A, Joober R, Garcia A. “Mental illness is like any other medical illness”: a critical examination of the statement and its impact on patient care and society. J Psychiatry Neurosci. 2015 May;40(3):147-50. DOI: 10.1503/jpn.150099. PMID: 25903034; PMCID: PMC4409431. Prayer for Mental Illness & Prayer for Depression and Anxiety – related articles.
- About Mental Health – Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
