Reflection Paper - October 2025 - Mental Health Awareness
- SCC Mumbai
- Oct 6
- 4 min read
As India observed World Suicide Prevention Day on September 10, Mpower – an initiative of the Aditya Birla Education Trust– shared an analysis of 53 high-risk youth clients since 2024. It revealed that young Mumbaikars aged 18–25 are increasingly vulnerable to complex mental health challenges; cases were almost evenly split between men and women. The issues span mood and personality disorders, bipolar disorder, obsessive–compulsive behaviour, and substance use, besides identity struggles, relationship difficulties, and family conflicts. These are further compounded by academic pressure, financial instability, social isolation, and emotional dysregulation—factors that leave many highly susceptible to suicidal ideation at some point in their lives. The findings raise urgent need for early mental health interventions, sustained awareness campaigns, and integrated support systems that include educational institutions, families and the wider community.
Read the following Papal statements on Mental illness
Pope John Paul II - “Christ took all human suffering on himself, even mental illness.”
Pope John Paul II eloquently stated the importance of attending to the spiritual life of people who live with mental illness. In a speech to the International Conference for Healthcare workers on Illnesses of the Human Mind in 1996, he said:
Christ took all human suffering on Himself, even mental illness. Yes, even this affliction, which perhaps seems the most absurd and incomprehensible, configures the sick person to Christ and gives him a share in His redeeming Passion. Whoever suffers from mental illness always “bears God’s image and likeness in himself, as does every human being.”
Pope Benedict XVI - “We must do whatever we can ... to give assistance in overcoming mental suffering.”
Pope Benedict XVI highlighted the need for countries and individuals to take action to treat mental illness and to respect the dignity of people who live with mental illness. In his 2007 encyclical titled Spe Salvi (Saved in Hope), Pope Benedict recognised mental suffering, and although we may not be able to eliminate all suffering, he said the Church needs to help reduce the suffering.
Pope Francis - “Fully overcome the stigma with which mental illness has often been branded.”
Pope Francis called attention to the stigma and discrimination often faced by people who live with mental illness. In a speech at a 2021 Conference for Mental Health Workers, he called for a ‘culture of community’. He said:
“It is also a question of helping to fully overcome the stigma with which mental illness has often been branded, and in general, to ensure that the culture of community prevails over the mentality of rejection, according to which greater care and attention is given to those who bring productive advantages to society, forgetting that those who suffer allow the irrepressible beauty of human dignity to shine forth in their wounded lives.
Pope Leo XIV
“A very widespread ailment of our time is the fatigue of living,” the Pope said to thousands of pilgrims gathered in St. Peter’s Square for his General Audience on June 25, 2025. “Reality seems to us to be too complex, burdensome, difficult to face.”
Question 1: What inspiration do you draw from these quotations?
After a brief group sharing, continue:
Our lives are filled with all kinds of changes – some unpleasant, and some that require time to adjust. But while we know that change is inevitable, we don’t realise that grief is a typical response. Grief presents several challenges that can lead to setbacks that often comprise of believing lies or fixating on thoughts that distract our focus from the Gospel message. Some examples include:
1) Guilt, regret, and shame: We allow our feelings of guilt, regret and shame to constantly replay in our minds, and we lament over past decisions or actions.
2) Bitterness and anger: We allow our feelings of bitterness and anger to take control of our thoughts and behaviour.
3) Self-pity: We allow our mind to fall into a state of feeling sorry for ourselves. We then struggle to share our grief with others, and compare our experiences to those of others.
4) Isolation: We allow our minds to detach from community, because we believe we are a burden for others, or that we should have overcome our grief by now.
Recognising the importance of emotional and psychological well-being
This involves educating individuals about mental health conditions, their symptoms, and the value of timely support and treatment.
Conversation in the Spirit
Begin with a few moments of silence to allow ourselves to ponder the question. A short spontaneous prayer may be said or sing a hymn/chant to the Holy Spirit.
What is your understanding of mental health after reading the above?
1st round of conversation: Each person has a chance to speak. There is no discussion in this round, and there is a time of silence to allow for reflection. (A moment of silence)
2nd round of Conversation: Share what struck you most or what resonated for you in the first round and what moved you during the time of silence. Once again, this is followed by a pause for reflection. (A moment of silence)
3rd round of Conversation: Finally, in the third round, participants reflect on what moved them most deeply. What new insights arise? What are the common themes or fruits of the conversations?
Concluding Prayer
Lord, help us understand that the way we talk about people with a mental illness affects the people themselves, and how we treat the illness. So often, people who have a mental illness are known as their illness; people say that “she is bipolar” or “he is schizophrenic”; when we talk about mental illness, we should not use that phrase. Let us always remember that people with a mental illness are not the illness; they are a beautiful creation of God. Grant courage to those for whom we pray, and fill them with hope. If it is according to your Divine will, grant them the recovery and cure they desire. Help them to remember you love them; they are never alone.
Saint Dymphna, Patron of those with a Mental illness, pray for us.
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