Novena for Mental Health

Lord, our God, you graciously chose St. Dymphna as patroness of those afflicted with mental and nervous disorders. She is thus an inspiration and a symbol of charity to the thousands who ask her intercession.

Please grant, Lord, through the prayers of this pure youthful martyr, relief and consolation to all suffering such trials, and especially those for whom I pray.

​

I beg you, Lord, to hear the prayers of St. Dymphna on my behalf. Grant all those for whom I pray patience in their sufferings and resignation to your divine will. Please fill them with hope, and grant them the relief and cure they so much desire.

Lord Jesus, may our families draw ever closer to you and to one another. I lift up all families, particularly those with members facing mental health challenges. May family members help remove the stigma surrounding mental health challenges, both within their families and in their communities. Comfort, hold, lead to safety, and heal families affected by every form of trauma, mental health challenge, and mental illness. You know every family’s specific situation, wounds and needs, and you can restore and make all things new.

Lord, pour your grace into their hearts, minds, souls, and bodies, filling them with light and peace amid their suffering. Help all families, unite their suffering to your Passion and Death, mindful of the resurrection to new life to come.

 

St. Dymphna, patroness of persons with mental health conditions, always look out for those men and women, for their healing and recovery, and for an end to stigma and indifference in society. Families face many challenges today, and trauma can come in many forms. When one family member suffers, all suffer.

 

The three most common disorder categories are depressive disorders, anxiety disorders, and substance use disorders. Yet, despite how common mental illness is, persons living with the symptoms of a mental health condition still face the added burden of stigma. Self-stigma can result in low self-esteem, low self-efficacy, and feelings of futility.

 

Children may not express depression and anxiety in ways that adults do. The internal level of distress caused by the feelings of depression and anxiety can lead children to behaviorally “act out” these internal feelings. These children need extra support and understanding.

 

Severe loneliness is impacting young people to an incredible degree today, especially amplified by the effects of social distancing during the recent global pandemic.

​

Struggling with mental health challenges isn’t uncommon.

​

Ever loving God, I commend to your mercy all who are contemplating suicide this day. Bring someone or something to intervene. I pray for all who have died by suicide. May Mother Mary carry them into the loving arms of her son Jesus, asking him to grant them complete joy, without the pain of heart and mind that led to suicide.

​

Good St. Dymphna, great wonder worker in every affliction of mind and body, I humbly implore your powerful intercession with Jesus through Mary, for the health of the sick.

​

Help me, I pray, not to lose hope in you as I navigate this valley of darkness, but to continue to live the Kingdom of heaven by my love and service to others.

​

Lord Jesus, as someone who fights mental illness, I pray that you hold me in my times of need. Those times when I feel like I’m about to fall and never get back up. When I’m surrounded by darkness and begin to lose hope. When fear creeps in and steals my breath. When I can’t sleep and the dreams are worse than the night.

​

I pray that you remind me that I’m not alone, you are always with me, even when I forget because I’m too caught up in my own head. Please help me to stop and take that next breath, to take that step forward, and to take it a moment at a time. You promised me there will be a dawn at the end of this nightmare I feel stuck in. You will make something beautiful out of my pain, even if I am unable to see it right now. You tell me I am worth it, that I am loved. Please continue to show me, because I sometimes don’t feel like I am.  

​

St. Dymphna, you know suffering well, as you lost your mom at such a young age. Please pray for me to be consoled in my suffering. You know well that healing doesn’t always happen in this lifetime, and still, I ask that you pray for my healing if it is God’s will. Please pray for the healing I need, desire, and seek. I know I am held close in God’s hands.

Pray that I will persevere in hope, knowing that I am never alone in pain or suffering, always remembering that Jesus is with me. 

​

Father in Heaven, thank You for always hearing me. Thank you for never leaving me. Thank you for Your nearness. 

I’m grateful that You’ve given us St. Dymphna to intercede for us, for everyone who suffers with mental illness, with depression, anxiety, epilepsy, and more… Thank you for giving us someone who can relate to us, who can understand our sufferings.

​

I ask this through Christ our Lord who suffered agony in the garden.

​

Amen.

Say Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be, three times.