How Religion Helped These Believers Improve Their Mental Health

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Welcome to Soft Launch, a column by Elyse Fox on mental health and wellbeing in a world that often feels anything but soft and cushy. In this installment of the column, Elyse talks to some friends about religion and mental health. Believers is a series running throughout April, examining different facets of faith and religion among young people.

Can I be real with you? I feel like the Soft Launch crew has really become a tight-knit collective, and honestly, it feels like a safe zone. With that in mind, I’m going to open up a little: I've always dodged talking about religion. It just made me squirm, you know? There were so many reasons, but the big one was that something meant to bring people together so often had a trend of tearing them apart.

Still, I'm curious about the intersection between spirituality, religion, and mental health. Getting back in touch with your faith can be a real personal journey and it's all about taking it slow, being kind to yourself, and keeping an open mind. I spoke with my friends Emilia Ortiz, spiritual healer and mental health advocate, and Kirah Ominque, content creator and proud Christian, about their unique journeys with their chosen faith.

Elyse Fox: How has your spiritual practice impacted your mental health and has it always been part of your life?

Emilia Ortiz: My spiritual practice is something that's rooted in keeping me grounded and helping to be a supportive tool for my mental health. It's definitely something that helps bring me back to center.

Kirah Ominque: My mom only took me to church on big holidays, like Easter, so I had to really take the time to find my own path into church. When I relocated from Wisconsin to Atlanta, I realized how sheltered I was as a woman and I was tested, but the lessons made me who I am today. But at the time, my mental state wasn't okay. I needed to get closer to God and find my own way.

EF: How have your beliefs grown over time?

KO: In the past, I would get upset or moody when other people received opportunities before me. Since I started putting God first, I had to learn that God put me on this journey for a reason. I feel like God wants me to be part of something greater. He prepared me for what’s to come and, looking back on everything [in the past], I know I wasn’t ready [for those opportunities] at that time.

EF: What advice would you give someone who’s new to navigating their spiritual journey?

KO: You’ll know when you're ready, take your time, you’re going to learn so many things along the way so don’t rush the process to find what works for you and where you belong.

EO: All of our paths are going to look different, right? I always try to tell people to keep in mind that there's always room for things to change. If you're doing it because you want it to support your mental health, it's important to remember that this is just a tool in your toolbox. It isn't a replacement for anything like mental health services but it absolutely can be a really wonderful supportive tool in the toolbox.

Here are some pointers for anyone who's feeling a bit lost in the faith department and wants to start piecing it back together:

1. Set intentions: Be intentional with what you’re seeking from your faith. Figuring out why you started doubting or feeling lost can help you figure out how to move forward.

2. Trust the process: Religious and spiritual beliefs can offer comfort, support, and a sense of community during times of distress, providing individuals with a coping mechanism to deal with life's challenges.

3. Explore: Give yourself permission to check out different spiritual or religious beliefs. You don't need to have everything figured out right now, and it's okay to explore different angles.

4. Seek Support: Surround yourself with people who respect your journey. Whether it's friends, family, spiritual leaders, or a support group, having people in your corner makes the journey way less scary. Engagement in positive religious coping strategies, such as seeking support from religious communities or relying on religious beliefs for comfort and guidance, has been associated with positive mental health outcomes among certain populations.

5. Practice Self-Compassion: Be kind to yourself as you navigate this whole rebuilding thing. It's not always gonna be a smooth ride, but showing yourself some love along the way can make a world of difference. Let yourself evolve spiritually because, let's be real, this faith journey is a lifelong thing.

Originally Appeared on Teen Vogue