"Pray It Away?🙏🏾 Why Religion⛪🕌⛩ is Important, But Not a Replacement for Mental Health"

Ever had a really bad day and someone tells you, “Just pray about it”? Or maybe you opened up about anxiety, stress, the existential crisis you re going through, and the response was, “That’s just the devil testing you.” Or something bad happens to you and you hear this legendary quote "God cannot give you a burden that you cannot manage". I am not pretty sure that it works just by magic.

Listen, faith is powerful, but here is the thing: mental health struggles aren’t demons, bad vibes, or weak faith. They’re real, and ignoring them doesn’t make them disappear. Instead, they tend to grow bigger and burst out suddenly at a certain period of your life, and believe me, you rather challenge them now. Religion plays a huge role in shaping our values, providing comfort, and giving us community. But when it becomes a replacement for therapy, medical treatment, or self-care, it can actually make things worse.

So, how do we balance faith and mental health? And how do we deal with the fact that some religious institutions actually discourage mental health awareness? Let’s talk.

🧘‍♀️Step 1: How Religion Helps Mental Health (Because It Does)

Religion is not the enemy of mental health, far from it. In fact, studies show that faith can be a major source of emotional support (Koenig et al., 2012). This article is not to showcase that one is more important than the other but to understand that both, separately can serve the same purpose. This is why;

✔️ Faith Gives Comfort – Prayer, meditation, and religious rituals can reduce stress and give a sense of peace.
✔️ Community Matters – Religious groups offer a support system where people feel seen and cared for.
✔️ Purpose is Powerful – Believing in something bigger than yourself can provide meaning during tough times.

Many therapists even incorporate spirituality into mental health treatment because they recognize the healing benefits of faith.

So, what’s the problem?

🙅‍♀️Step 2: Where Religion Fails Mental Health

The issue isn’t faith itself. Faith is a great feeling that gives us that extra motivation to believe in ourselves or believe that we are aiming for something better. The problem can be when religious institutions:
🚩 Dismiss mental illness as a "lack of faith."
🚩 Shame people for seeking professional help.
🚩 Encourage suffering as a form of spiritual growth.
🚩 Replace therapy with religious rituals.

This leads to serious problems, including:

🤔1. The “Pray It Away” Problem

Telling someone with depression to “just trust God” is like telling someone with a broken leg to “just walk it off.” It doesn’t work that way. It can, but that is certainly not the right nor the only approach.

✔️ Faith can be part of healing, but it shouldn’t be the only solution.

👹2. “Mental Health is a Curse” Thinking

Some religious spaces still treat mental illness like a curse, either because of family ties or because of any reason that will be fancy enough. If you’re anxious, depressed, or suicidal, you might hear:

• “You’re letting the devil in.”
• “You must not be praying hard enough.”
• “Have you fasted about it?”
• "Try this special prayer, it does miracles

🚨 Fact Check: Mental illness is NOT a sign of weak faith. Even religious leaders in history struggled.

• The Prophet Elijah experienced deep despair (1 Kings 19:4).
• Mother Teresa wrote about her battles with depression.
• Even Jesus showed moments of deep emotional pain (Matthew 26:38).

😔3. Religious Trauma & Guilt

Not all religious spaces are safe. Some create fear, guilt, and emotional distress, worsening mental health instead of improving it (Exline et al., 2014).

Examples:
🚩 Fear-based teachings (“If you don’t obey, bad things will happen!”)
🚩 Suppressed emotions (“Don’t be sad; God is in control.”)
🚩 Toxic positivity (“Rejoice always, no matter what.”)

Ignoring emotions doesn’t heal them, it just makes them louder and stronger.

Take the Quiz: Is Your Faith Helping or Hurting Your Mental Health?

Ask yourself:

1. Do you feel guilty for seeking therapy or taking medication?
2. Have you been told your mental health struggles are “spiritual attacks”?
3. Does your religious space dismiss psychology or therapy?
4. Are you afraid to express doubt or sadness because it’s “not faithful”?
5. Does religion bring you peace—or anxiety?

Results:

• 0-1 Yes: Your faith seems to support your mental health—great!
• 2-3 Yes: You may need a better balance between faith and professional support.
• 4-5 Yes: Your mental health may be suffering due to religious pressure. Time to reassess.

🙏🏾⚖🧠Step 3: Finding a Balance Between Faith & Mental Health

🤝🏾1. Therapy and Faith Can Work Together

Many religious people go to faith-based therapists, who integrate both psychology and spirituality (Pargament, 2007). It is important to recognise the possibility of having both working and respecting each other's position.

✔️ Do: Find a therapist who respects your faith but prioritizes your mental health.
❌ Don’t: Assume therapy = losing faith.

👨‍⚕️2. God Created Medicine for a Reason

If you have high blood pressure, you take meds. If you have a mental illness, you get therapy or medication. If you have COVID, please don't just pray and take your medication.

🚨 Faith and science are not enemies. They work together.

✔️ Do: Seek medical help when needed.
❌ Don’t: Feel guilty for prioritizing your well-being.

🙅‍♀️3. Beware of Religious Guilt

A healthy faith should free you, not trap you in shame.

🚩 If your religious space makes you feel guilty for struggling, it’s okay to question that.

✔️ Do: Find a faith community that supports mental health.
❌ Don’t: Let anyone make you feel like mental illness = spiritual weakness.

⛪Final Thought: Faith is Powerful, But So is Mental Health Awareness🕌

Religion can be an incredible source of strength, but it should never replace real mental health care. If your faith helps you heal, great. But if it’s stopping you from seeking help, it’s time to rethink how you approach it. Pray about your issues but never be afraid to seek for appropriate help when needed.

💬 Has faith helped or hurt your mental health? Let’s talk.

References

• Exline, J. J., et al. (2014). Religious struggle and mental health. Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, 33(10), 867-893.
• Koenig, H. G., et al. (2012). Religion and mental health. Psychiatric Times, 29(3), 34-38.
• Pargament, K. (2007). Spiritually Integrated Psychotherapy: Understanding and Addressing the Sacred.