7. Stand proud.

Faith has a number of mental health benefits: It is a huge coping skill for when you struggle; being involved in your faith will make you less likely to use drugs or become alcohol-dependent; and you will also live longer. If you are a believer, your body will actually respond better to medical treatments.

One thing to remember is that having a faith that is rule-bound and self-critical will actually be harmful to your mental health and overall well-being. It is love that heals, not religion alone.

Experiencing depression and anxiety have made me more empathetic, more caring and better able to support other people who suffer. For more, see this post “Depression Will Make You a Better Human Being.”

God can, and will, use your pain as a way to encourage and support other people. He can take something powerfully negative like trauma and dark, difficult moods and help you to reach others who face similar things.

The Weight of Living

The original title for this post is from a song by Bastille. The song reminds us that the Weight of Living that we carry, our depression, or anxiety or traumas, they do not have to always be this way. We can leave it behind.

This post is adapted from a previous article on the topic of faith and mental health. Please remember that this and any article on mental health is not a substitute for medical advice or Counselling. Please see your doctor and get the help that you need for your mind, your body, and your soul.

Sean Swaby is a writer in the areas of mental health and addiction, family, leadership, and anything that demonstrates the power of story. You can find him at smswaby.wordpress.com and on Facebook, here. In addition to being an Editor with the Good Men Project, Sean has been published with Babble, The Mighty, Be You Media Group and Addiction Unscripted. Sign up for his blog if you want to receive the latest and best of his writing.