More than just belief— how faith helps some with mental health

“If it weren’t because of my faith in, and my relationship with God, I would likely not be alive today,” said Kary Flores, a former Bible study leader at her church.

For some, their religious beliefs can be a support system for mental health; it might even be the only way that they find peace in their lives. While it may not work for everyone, individuals, experts and youth group leaders have shared with 8forty the benefits of faith on their mental health, as well as how they’ve seen transformations in the lives of those around them.

Flores told 8forty about how she feels finding God has changed her life for the better. She was struggling with anxiety, PTSD, depression, panic attacks, and even a desire to end her life. She thought there was no way out, especially because faith, at the time, wasn’t something she was seeking, it was simply a religion and something that she thought of as a system of control.  

Flores described how her faith came softly in her life. “[It was] like a love that had always been available to me that I had to simply receive and accept,” she shared. “It first came as a cozy blanket that gave me comfort and peace, and it quickly became the foundation of all that I am.”  

It has been 24 years since she found God, and she claims that the journey has gotten better and better, even with the struggles she faced along the way. “The joy has not left, the peace is always present, and I feel empowered to overcome mental health issues with a lot more ease, speed, and strength.” 

In her interview with 8forty, Flores also shared stories from in her church where in her role as a Bible study leader, she came across many teens who overcame depression, eating disorders, anxiety and abuse. She says she “witnessed endless transformations and stories of regained hope and healing.”  

One of Flores’ teens in her youth group, who we’ll call Ava, was abusing drugs because of depression. But, in Flores’ telling, as Ava attended a youth group at her church, she found herself loved and accepted by God and the others in the group. This love helped her gain the confidence and strength to confront the addiction. Flores says about Ava, that “She was able to overcome knowing that God had good plans for her and loved and accepted her without conditions.” Ava now works with other youth who struggled in the same ways she did. 

Dr. Margarida Rafael, a therapist, says faith can play a significant role in therapy. “Things like comfort, hope, and purpose are important because they help people stay motivated, manage stress, and make sense of their struggles,” she explained. “Faith can play a big role by offering these things—it can give people strength when they feel weak, help them feel less alone, and encourage healing by connecting their pain to something meaningful.”  

Dr. Rafael also emphasized how it is necessary that therapists respect and include someone’s belief as a part of their treatment plan because it can be an important part of their healing and support system. 

One person who shares a similar experience as Flores and her youth group members is Nash Cisneros, a woman new to the Christian faith, who shared how her journey finding God has helped her during times of trouble.  

As someone who used to be a perfectionist and overthinker, Cisneros started identifying with being a planner: always prepared, extremely organized and dependant on praise. She told 8forty that what she thought were her strengths at the time, turned out to be the main causes of her anxiety. “This led me to very difficult times in my life, and yet, I knew I had to do more, work harder, be better,” she said.  

Cisneros tried multiple ways to find comfort and peace, from counselling to drastic career changes and even spiritual practices like yoga and meditation. But she says nothing seemed to work, and she claimed that she was “always falling short.” She grew up in a Catholic household, but said she never felt God’s presence in her life. It wasn’t until she read a document called The Believers Authority where everything began to change.  

“I was compelled to look and begin reading a Bible I had never opened, to learn more about this God that I had never encountered, to pray and surrender,” she added. “This is when my life began to change.”  

Whether Cisneros’ faith is helping her mental health, relationships, or trust, she has made it clear that God’s grace is enough to find joy and peace in knowing that everything works out for her good. “Jesus, my Saviour, empowers and continues to remind me that he has given me everything I need to be prosperous, healed, loving, and abundant.”  

Even though counselling and practices like yoga and meditation aren’t the ultimate solution for everybody, they can offer benefits for some. They can be helpful for mental health, finding a better sense of purpose, and increasing confidence—in a similar way that faith does this for others.  

Faith being a way to cope with mental health struggles isn’t limited solely to Christianity, either. Grade 11 student Arwa Salem shared how her beliefs as a Muslim have been a way for her to find support when she goes through hard times in her life. “Yes, it has helped me get through difficult times,” she stated. “Praying and continuing to believe in God has calmed me down in multiple situations.” 

Dr. Rafael believes that faith can help people of all ages find purpose, comfort, support, and hope, no matter the religion. Which, according to Dr. Rafael, is why it’s a strength and an important part of treatment in therapy if someone’s faith is special to them. 

“Walking with God brought healing that went beyond talking about my past, but one that was genuine and visible,” Flores told us.  

“So for me, to say that the knowledge of God saved me, is a very strong understatement.” 

Cover image: Sarah Taylor