Mental Illness and Religious Life | Discerning Vocation

Can you have a mental illness and enter a religious order? Is it even worth considering? Camryn can speak on her experience with the matter.
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[@marshmarsh6431]

I left the religious formation 2 years ago. I was not at peace when I left because of the conflicting pressures externally and internally. I then became aware of my anxieties and depression and now trying to be better. Yes, this is not easy and I don't even know how God will redeem me from this situation but everytime I think and feel how big God is, it calms me. It gives me security in the uncertainties of my humaness. God is a healer and I pray that He will heal everything in His time. I also pray for all the people who, like me, are now fighting for mental health.

[@PrayLikeaGirl]

Prayer is super important - glad you trusted God, He's got you :)

[@Skatejock21]

God will redeem you. I sat in a workshop in my church about anxiety and depression and a psychologist came to speak to us. What I felt in the congregation is how the Lord knows we are not perfect. We wont hit the nail every single time. This psychologist wanted to make it quite clear to us that in general speaking terms, we all do have anxiety and depression. Its built into us. Anxieties natural function is a protection mechanism. This is also a way that the spirit will tell us when something is not right. Depression is normal as well. Everyone who has ever lived has experienced it. To be depressed for up to 2 weeks at a time is entirely normal. We have ups and downs. Its normal because not every day is a good day and life is full of disappointments. You don't need to be diagnosed by a doctor to have the anxiety and depression that is normal inside us. It is there for a purpose. The difference is just certain criteria needs to be met with the same symptoms. It was eye opening because as different as people want to make themselves seem... in normal functions of the body. It allows us to relate to a certain extent. Which is important for Gods children to communicate and love one another. He knows us and will guide our paths.

[@patriciagillespie8640]

are you thinking about trying to go through with formation again? Sending you my best.

[@jesusisking452]

I get the feeling. When I was a kid I wanted to be a priest more than anything else even though I wasn't catholic as my family converted to protestantism when I was around two years old. Unfortunately my young adulthood was stolen from me by schizophrenia. I still can't join, even though I've been improving for half a decade straight, now I usually am symptom-free and yet I probably can't go into any order. It's sad really, but it is the path God put me on and so now I have to deal with it.

[@christianjacob6002]

Much of the lack of vocations, seems, as the Church's stringent psychological evaluations in response to the continued scandals of the 1990s. Good men and women who may have lived tough lives and become stronger and more mature for it may be rejected for Seminary in Diocese and Religious life because of acute depression at one point in their past, for example. Others who have gone to therapy, have medication, and are stable are also flat out rejected at initial interviews. This is especially the case for those who are responding to the call of Vocations a little later in life. Who hasn't gone through a rough patch? I am one who has a calling to Vocations but have been flat out rejected because of the above. As I explored different Religious Orders I found this, sadly, to be the case quite frequently. Honestly, it really hurts. I feel like I never even had a chance with any Order or Diocese. The 'lack of vocations' may be a self inflicted wound.

[@kaitlynwillett4783]

This is something I have noticed as well. I have been immediately flat out refused even before the initial interview because of my history with mental health. Never mind the fact that my health is SO much better. They hear that I’ve been depressed in the past and they slam the door in my face. It’s hard.

[@sistermadrigalmorning233]

Great video! I also want to point out tertiary/oblate/associate roles to people-- if you feel called to a certain community which can't support you as a sister/brother with a mental illness discern if perhaps you are called to be a third order member-- St Catherine of Siena for example was never a nun, she was a third order Dominican who lived in her family's house but obviously lived out the Dominican vocation in her own unique way.

[@1951kvk]

I entered a religious community and after a couple of years I encountered a few sisters who were mentally ill. When I asked what was being done for them I was told this is the way things are. Not good for the sister or a particular community.

[@JMac-fj1rg]

For those interested in some sort of religious life, but do not feel called to any sort of holy orders, Consider Opus Dei. The largest portion of the membership of Opus Dei are the Supernumeraries. Supernumeraries are married men and women who have secular careers and lead traditional family lives. Supernumeraries devote a portion of their day to prayer, in addition to attending regular meetings and taking part in activities such as retreats There are also another type of membership in Opus Dei called Co-operators. Co-operators are people who assist by praying, charitable contributions, or by providing some other assistance. Cooperators are not required to be celibate or to adhere to any other special requirements. Indeed, cooperators are not even required to be Christian.

[@jesusisking452]

When I was a kid I wanted to be a priest more than anything else even though I wasn't catholic as my family converted to protestantism when I was around two years old. Unfortunately my young adulthood was stolen from me by schizophrenia. I still can't join, even though I've been improving for half a decade straight, now I usually am symptom-free and yet I probably can't go into any order. It's sad really, but it is the path God put me on and so now I have to deal with it.

[@sarahmartin-pilkington7348]

Hiya, I just read you comment and I just wanted to let you know that I completely understand. I want to be a nun but a couple of years ago I was diagnosed with Psychosis and I am 24. I know that I won't be able to join the vocation. I understand how you feel and know that you are special.

[@isabelcisneros2513]

Thank you so much, this helps me a lot to think about this.❤️🙏

[@lindamcauley4728]

God bless you.

[@nikkif.409]

Really great. I know a video like this takes courage and vulnerability. I also suffered from the an anxiety disorder at age 19 and throughout life have gone through some trauma but always want to heal.

[@Deperuse]

God bless you!

[@janagr1063]

You are amazing! Its good you share all of it❤ God bless you

[@KFox17]

I appreciate this video on a subject that many gloss over.

[@PrayLikeaGirl]

Thanks for watching! We think it's important too.

[@JMac-fj1rg]

People who are mentally ill will rarely be able to acknowledge it, and may go to great efforts to deny it. that is why there is a significant novitiate period where people unsuited for religious life can be identified and removed.

[@cheskatolentino3375]

Thankyou so much🥺🥺

[@mjoswong1947]

Religious life is a response to a call ....so often religious will tells u that they have a personal experience that is unique of God .....a love experience that is so strong that they know and they want to response to a love ....and they know that there is no other reason why they need to do it except Jesus himself ....meaning one do not join religious life for a better life or escape from the world ........then comes the discernment of where which order. A call is eternal ,that means that it is always there .......people can run away from it but God continues to call ...and the nuns will also tells u that God is more responsible than u to Him ......and once u enter religious life ,u will know that more and more daily how much u need to rely on His mercy as we sin everyday .....that His love is ur only refuge ....prepare to be at the cross with him just as u will rejoice also with Him already on the cross his Resurrection.....the cross is glorious and we only have to sing all our life a Magnificat with. Mary .

[@nusratjamia7953]

Great video 📹....... 📹.

[@KR-ms6km]

Great job again!! Greetings from an apostolic hermit sister (and trauma professional) in Germany!

[@PrayLikeaGirl]

thank you!!

[@KR-ms6km]

@@PrayLikeaGirl God bless :)

[@katmorales9447]

And also many orders offer help if you have those types of struggles.

[@katmorales9447]

I know a sister that has or had anxiety and she continues in formation.

[@JatnaRD]

Did you consider consecrated virginity?

[@MissPopuri]

Sometimes I worry what a guy would think of me if I tell him what I think, I can say he’s cute but the thought of talking to him makes me feel like I am going to say something wrong and set him off. Or, he’s going to tell me I have no idea what I am talking about and try to tell me what he thinks I should think.

[@joemerino3243]

That guy probably thinks the same thing.

[@lindamcauley4728]

Surely a religious should be open to all God's children?

[@thesmirf07]

It's not that they're not open to all of God's children. I'm sure there are religious with mental illness in each community. HOWEVER, those with more "severe" or even certain types of mental illness will just not flourish in a monastery, convent, seminary, etc. The life of a religious is tough, and so when people with mental illness are turned away, it's done out of love. It's hard to grasp, but it's true. You can think of it in the same sense that a person with severe anxiety, for example, should not work in a super high stress job such as a 911 operator. It just wouldn't be healthy in the long run.

[@christianjacob6002]

​@@thesmirf07 Its not quite that simple. Many of us who have a very treatable "mild" mental illness or have healthily dealt with a "moderate" mental illness long ago are being rejected whole cloth at the initial "Zoom/Skype" interview. Even before we get a chance to go on a discernment retreat, meet someone in person, or visit a monastery or seminary. A hard, "No" even before we get a chance. I understand, cognitively, why the Church wants strict discernment now. They're suffering from continued 1990s scandals... But it hurts. A lot. And its incredibly frustrating when the Church is begging people for Vocations: prayer services, masses, youth vocation seminars, vocation retreats; pleas from the pulpit homilies... and then denies ya' even the littlest of opportunity. Doesn't seem charitable or compassionate.

[@mohamedaboalkasem3522]

Sweet girl ,, lovely

[@franciscoribeiro6034]

Bela religiosa.

[@tammy7652]

An earthly marriage will mess with your mental wellness, and certainty of disappoints, it’s a shame that an Advisor and a Priest would have gave you this advice. There are so many ways to be a Sister. Don’t give up on that.

[@joemerino3243]

That's pretty prideful of you to speak out as if you know their vocation better than the individual and their advisor. Maybe your comment was the shameful one.

[@ramonarassi]

I suffered from dizziness vertigo imbalance for YEARS no exact diagnosis i become sad from God bcz it was hard to live with & this after bullying at school i decided to change my style and to become a snake girl to self confidence it was fake it was not me i was devilish Jesus came into my dream when i was child but i didnt focus too much on this in 2011 my health was terrible i lost 64% of my balance i had like ahdh i couldnt even sit on chair without moving a lot of spasm vertigo the cold was a trigger.. I prayed deeeeeply to jesus and he helped me to find a natural treatment... When i back to normal around me 80% i changed my life i opened a business i started adoring myself to the maximum (details....) jesus i loved black color i had my own world in my own mind in 2016 when my mom died i saw Jesus sad & upset from in my dream i didnt react to this second dream... In 2020 i had 33 i felt that i wanna die dunno why and i started feeling a new scary symptoms breathlessness no one knows the causes i have a complicated ocd about self so i was unable to do anything i prayed deeeeeeeply i give up im weaaak Jesus i need your help again pleaseee if ur God powerful bring my breath and mind back i was diagnosed with ibd bowl inflammation mmm it was chronic and jesus came in 2021 into my dream for the second time he healed me after i dealed with him to be totally with him yes iam im back to the normal im following a specific diet i do to pple christian life coaching no more depression anxiety ocd 24h with god son holy spirit and virgin maryyy

[@evaschroeder4614]

Your story is beautiful