The month of May is associated with many elements of the practice of our Catholic faith. We begin the month celebrating St. Joseph the Worker. Novenas and May crownings are frequently celebrated at this time as we honor Mary. It is also a popular moment for the celebration of the sacrament of matrimony.
There is also a lesser known but growing devotion that is also part of the month of May. That is the Feast of St. Dymphna which is celebrated on May 15. The significance and growing devotion to this saint is because she is the patron saint of mental health, mental illness and nervous disorders.
The story of St. Dymphna is fascinating. She lived in the seventh century and was born in Ireland. As a young woman she took a vow of virginity but had to flee to Belgium from her mentally ill father after the death of her mother. She eventually was found and martyred by her father but not before she started a hospital for the needy in Geel, Belgium.
Following her death, the faithful began to come to her hospital to pray to her for issues of mental health. When the hospital was overwhelmed by those who came, the townspeople began to take the pilgrims with mental health issues into their own homes. It is a great story of faith, prayer and generosity. And one that is instructive for our times.
According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, one in five adults in the United States suffers from mental illness, and one in 20 suffers from serious mental issues. Also worrisome, it is estimated that one in seven young people in the United States are dealing with mental health issues.
These numbers represent an increasing number of individuals who are suffering. But that number must also take into consideration the number of family members who seek to deal with the mental health of their siblings or parents and who end up suffering greatly themselves because of the intensive effort that such care often requires as well as the stigma surrounding mental health issues.
Mental illness is manifested in many different ways and with a spectrum of severity. But for many it results in anxiety and depression. Often it is so debilitating that it leads to a loss of job and income thus resulting in other social and family problems.
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has taken note of this growing problem and in 2023, they began a program called the National Catholic Mental Health Campaign (NCMHC). Its goal is to encourage all people to become more aware of the issues, eliminate the stigmas around mental illness, and seek creative ways to journey with those who struggle with mental health issues.
Here in the Diocese of Rockford, our diocesan Catholic Charities is also working to develop a parish approach to Mental Health Ministry. That outreach seeks to provide support, prayers and accompaniment that give hope to those affected. In so doing, it works to remove the stigma of mental illness and to identify and encourage recourse to mental health professionals, recognizing that the advances in therapy and medication give good reason for hope in what is for many a life-long struggle.
Our society is characterized by an emphasis on individualism that often results in isolation. The prevalence of social media with its often agitating and provocative commentary stirs up the minds and hearts of many, often negatively. And the general loss of faith has removed a healthy recourse to God whose love should be an anchor for life. In short, we can identify many societal influences that contribute to mental stress and anxiety.
The Gospels record the ministry of Jesus and how He gave hope and comfort for many different kinds of illnesses. He has left us this task to be carried out in His name. Our efforts to pray for those afflicted by mental illness, to support and comfort them and to help them to seek the medical help for their challenges continues the work of Jesus. We should be proud that the Church is addressing this issue in our time.
