Spiritual resources can provide help, healing from mental health issues
Compiled by Natalie Hoefer
Studies show that increasing in faith can help improve mental health, says Catholic mental health counselor and spiritual director Tom Konechnik.
The most basic forms of growing spiritually in the Catholic faith include prayer and frequenting the sacraments.
Below are a few other spiritual resources grounded in the Catholic faith that might be of help to those suffering with mental health issues. Links beginning with “lnkiy.in” are case sensitive.
Spiritual direction
For information on what spiritual direction is (and is not), guidelines for spiritual direction and help in finding a spiritual director in central and southern Indiana vetted by the archdiocese, go to www.archindy.org/worship.
General healing from emotional pain or trauma
Healing from anxiety or stress
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Jesus I Trust in You: A 30-Day Personal Retreat with the Litany of Trust, by Sisters of Life Sister Maria Faustina Pia
Healing from your own or your parents’ divorce
- Surviving Divorce: For men and women seeking healing from divorce, begins on Jan. 17, 12 sessions through the course of three months, St. Jude Church, 5353 McFarland Road, Indianapolis, 7:30 p.m. Information: Patti Collins at 317-786-4371 or pcollins@stjudeindy.org.
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Being and Belonging: Annual retreat for Catholics who are divorced or separated, offered through Our Lady of Fatima Retreat House, 5353 E. 56th St., Indianapolis. Call for the 2024 retreat date: 317-545-7681.
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Life Giving Wounds: for anyone age 18 and older affected by their parents’ divorce. Local retreat: May 3-5, Our Lady of Fatima Retreat House, 5353 E. 56th St., Indianapolis. Information, registration: marriageandfamily.archindy.org/lgw, 317-545-7681. Other retreat locations, online support groups and online resources: lifegivingwounds.org.
Healing from grief
- Abortion (for women): 1) Project
Rachel and Rachel’s Vineyard Healing Retreat (dates not set for 2024). Information within archdiocese: projectrachel@archindy.org, 317-452-0054 or lnkiy.in/AbortionLoss. Information outside of archdiocese: hopeafterabortion.com. 2) Healing Hidden Hurts individual counseling in Indianapolis: healinghiddenhurts.org or 317-490-1267. 3) More resources: lnkiy.in/AbortionLoss.
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Abortion (for men): 1) Project Joseph Healing Retreat, held twice a year, the next one is on April 20-21 at an undisclosed location in southern Indiana. Information, registration: dlbangs1@gmail.com or 765-860-6006. 2) More resources: lnkiy.in/AbortionLoss.
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Loss of loved one: Awakened Grief: Finding the Way Back to Joy retreat, Oldenburg Franciscan Center, 22143 Main St., in Oldenburg, Jan. 13, 9:30-11:30 a.m., $30. Information, registration: 812-933-6437, center@oldenburgosf.com, oldenburgfranciscancenter.org.
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Suicide loss survivors: You Are Not Alone, retreat and series of workshops offered through Our Lady of Fatima Retreat House. The 2024 dates have not been set, although they typically take place in the summer and fall. Check lnkiy.in/YouAreNotAlone for updates or call 317-545-7681.
Prayers and saints
- Litany of Trust (in English and Spanish): sistersoflife.org/litany-of-trust
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St. Ignatius of Loyola’s 14 rules of spiritual discernment: lnkiy.in/Ignatius14Rules
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Surrender Novena: lnkiy.in/SurrenderNovena
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Our Lady of Lourdes, patroness of healing
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St. Benedict Joseph Labre, patron saint of those suffering from mental illness
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St. Dymphna, patron saint of mental health
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St. Oscar Romero, who suffered from obsessive-compulsive disorder
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St. Thérèse of Lisieux (the Little Flower), who suffered from depression
Related story: Growing spiritually improves mental health, as ‘faith does wonderful things’