May is National Health Month and much of our attention is on providing people with resources and support systems for addressing the challenges and stresses in life. When we consider mental health, it is more than the absence of mental illness. In the healthy population, there are varying degrees of mental health. Also, at different times during our lives, we all experience varying degrees of mental health.
What are the characteristics of Mental Health? When we are mentally healthy, we enjoy life and all its richness. We face challenges with resilience, which is the capacity to withstand and to recover quickly from difficulties. There is a healthy balance in our lives between self-care and other care, work and rest, attention to external responsibilities and the importance of internal reflection. When we are mentally healthy, we are more flexible and can adapt to differing perspectives. We don’t need to be in control and have everything our way. Finally, being mentally healthy means self-actualizing. We are committed to learning and growing, developing and sharing our gifts. We want to realize our full potential and bring good to others.
The field of psychology is becoming increasingly aware of the ways in which a healthy spirituality offers real benefits for mental health. People define spirituality in different ways, but spirituality undergirds what it means to be human. It helps us to find meaning and purpose in life. It stabilizes us in times of suffering. It encourages us to seek the best relationship with ourselves, with others and with creation as a whole.
We have been involved in the preparation and support of spiritual directors (soul care providers) for 37 years, training more than 670 individuals on 6 continents. Soul Care is about the whole person. It goes by many different names, including spiritual direction, spiritual companioning, spiritual friendship, and soul care mentoring.
Soul Care responds to the need for life purpose and meaning, It is concerned with the integration of all of one’s life physically, emotionally, spiritually, relationally. It attends to healing and calling; interior life and relationships; family and community; sabbath and work; service and social justice.
In a time marked by constant change, discernment becomes increasingly important and spiritual companionship helps in the recognition of what is enduring. So many people live day-to-day reacting to the latest stress and are depleted. Soul Care fosters spiritual thriving, not just survival. It enables a person to explore a core foundation for their life and relationships.
If we can support you through Soul Care, whether for a single session or as an ongoing relationship, please feel free to contact us. We are committed to ensuring free access to soul care for everyone. We will be happy to connect you with a staff member or one of our well-trained interns or graduates.
Mental Health and Spirituality