Mental Health vs Emotional Health
Mental health and emotional health are deeply interconnected, yet there are distinct facets that clearly distinguish each. Mental health refers to the state of our cognitive functioning and psychological stability. It encompasses conditions like anxiety, depression, and disorders affecting thoughts, behaviors, and relationships. Emotional health, on the other hand, relates to our ability to process and manage feelings like joy, anger, sadness, and love in a balanced and constructive manner.
These aspects of whole health contribute greatly to the flourishing of humanity and the broader call to holiness, which is why understanding them is so important. As stewards of God's creation, we are tasked with caring for our minds and hearts. While mental health may sometimes require medical interventions and counseling, emotional health often involves a more direct engagement with virtues like temperance, humility, and charity.
To identify emotional health in daily life, consider the following:
1. Emotional Resilience: Emotionally healthy individuals recover gracefully from setbacks, drawing strength from their relationship with God. When life presents challenges, turning to prayer and trusting in divine providence reflect emotional maturity. The Surrender Novena has always helped me in this area.
2. Self-Awareness: Recognizing one’s feelings without being enslaved by them is a mark of emotional health. St. Ignatius of Loyola emphasized this in his spiritual exercises, teaching us to discern our interior movements and align them with God’s will. Listen to the Restore the Glory podcast's episode Emotions (Part 1) Movements of the Heart. This is part one in a series of three, and I highly recommend them all!
3. Healthy Relationships: Emotional health manifests in the capacity to foster love, forgiveness, and peace in relationships. It mirrors Christ’s call to love others as He loves us. In one of my favorite podcasts, Families of Character, Jordan Langdon gives us tips on How to Avoid Family Fights Over the Holidays in episode #26.
By nurturing emotional health through prayer, self-examination, and cultivating virtues, we also strengthen our mental health. The harmony between mental and emotional health enables us to discern God’s will clearly, live in communion with Him and reflect His goodness in the world. Additionally, embracing the Sacraments, particularly Reconciliation and the Eucharist, offers transformative healing for both heart and mind. In the Sacrament of Reconciliation, we receive forgiveness and restoration, clearing our conscience and paving the way for deeper emotional peace. The Eucharist nourishes us spiritually and grants the grace needed to face challenges with renewed strength. Ultimately, trusting in God’s infinite love allows us to overcome despair, embrace hope, and fulfill the calling He has given us.