A licensed mental health counselor is addressing the importance of Catholics caring for themselves mentally ahead of World Mental Health Day.
“Since the spiritual war we all fight is ultimately a battle of the mind, developing good habits to enhance our mental health and to decrease stress is a good protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil,” Allison Ricciardi, an expert on the topic, told Our Sunday Visitor.
Ricciardi, who serves as founder of The Raphael Remedy, CatholicTherapists.com and CatholicLifeCoaches.com, offered seven practical suggestions and six spiritual suggestions that everyday Catholics can practice for their mental well-being.
“When our minds are free of anguish and distraction, we can more easily experience the presence of God and draw closer to him,” Ricciardi said.
She made her comments before World Mental Health Day on Oct. 10, a day that Pope Francis has previously recognized by asking for prayers for those affected by mental disorders and the victims of suicide. The day, according to the World Health Organization, aims to raise awareness of mental health issues worldwide and mobilize efforts in support of mental health.
Helping mental health
Ricciardi first listed seven simple, practical suggestions for Catholics to promote their mental well-being:
1. “Take some time to be quiet every day. Turn off the noise and practice silence.”
2. “Get out in nature and practice the presence of God.”
3. “Eat a healthy diet. Junk food, sugar, alcohol, excessive caffeine and food additives can greatly affect your mood and emotions.”
4. “Get some exercise daily.”
5. “Organize your environment and your calendar. When life seems out of control, asserting control where you can is very helpful. An ordered environment facilitates an ordered disposition and cuts down on stress. Overscheduling yourself contributes to stress and burn out so be realistic about what you take on.”
6. “Monitor what you hear and see. Indiscriminate radio, television and social media can contribute to a negative disposition. Decide what you will allow in.”
7. “Don’t bottle up your feelings but talk them out with a trusted friend, priest or counselor.”
6 spiritual practices
Ricciardi also recommended six spiritual suggestions to practice:
1. “Daily prayer time. Set up a prayer routine that includes Scripture or spiritual reading. Listen for God speaking to you.”
2. “Spend time in God’s Real Presence in front of the Blessed Sacrament. Spend an hour in adoration if you are able or just stop in the church for a few minutes to put yourself in God’s holy presence.”
3. “Pray the Rosary. The Rosary is a meditative prayer that Our Lady herself tells us to pray daily. The quiet rhythm of the decades has a calming effect and bears much spiritual fruit.”
4. “Pray for those who hurt you. Jesus was pretty clear on that. Our emotions can get the better of us, but follow what Jesus said and you will find peace.”
5. “Go to confession on a regular basis. By examining your conscience and bringing your sins and faults to Jesus in the confessional, you will gain strength and peace and freedom.”
6. “Always focus on Easter Sunday. The darkest hour in history was Good Friday. It looked like evil had won … but that all changed forever on Easter Sunday. No matter how dark things look, remember God intends to bring good from it.”
Never stop praying
Ricciardi revealed particular areas where she saw people struggling today.
“Many people are struggling with the state of the world today as darkness seems to be encroaching,” she said. “Many are worried about their children who are fallen away from the Faith or may be caught up in the world, unholy lifestyles or even the occult.”
In response, she stressed the importance of relying on God.
“We need to keep entrusting our children and our world to God, who conquered sin and death and is the only one who can turn things around,” she said. “Practice penance and offer up your sufferings with trust that God will use them in miraculous ways.”
“Never stop praying and do not lose hope,” she added. “God loves your children more than you do. Pray unceasingly with confidence.”
Catholics should also remain vigilant, Ricciardi said.
“We must be aware that the evil one attacks us in our mind and emotions,” she said. “He is the author of chaos and confusion and his calling card is division and despair.”
Again, she offered her guidance.
“Monitor your emotions and in prayer ask for discernment of spirits to recognize when you are being tempted to division or despair,” she said. “Call on your guardian angel and pray to the guardian angels of your family members daily. Ask St. Michael to intercede for you.”
“Consecrate yourself and your family to Mary, who through her humility crushes the head of the serpent,” she added, “and be at peace.”
