Running into mental health crisis without God

For years I would meet all kinds of people in ‘The Green Room’ just outside the television studios. It was where BBC guests, were supposed to relax before going on air. I wondered why they called it that because it wasn’t actually green. It turns out this was an old theatre tradition, where walls were painted green to relax actors before the faced glare of spotlight. So I immediately understood the logic of the ‘Wear it green’ campaign as we mark mental health week. This is the secular world’s answer to the modern crisis around anxiety, depression, and suicide which is significantly higher among men than women. Almost €1.6 billion has been allocated for mental health services in the Irish budget for 2026 – up almost 50% in five years. Almost 5,000 children and young people are on a waiting list to be seen by Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services. Wearing a green ribbon or an item of clothing on May 14 is a thoughtful gesture but for Christians, it’s a poor substitute for the Cross, a living reality with real power to heal.

Comfort

The ‘Wear it green’ is a sign of the times – as is the increasingly common phrase: “You’ve got this!”

It resounds in films and television – and there it was the other Sunday as I made my way to Mass amid a throng of marathon runners. The marathon used to be once held on Bank Holiday Monday – when it would cause the least disruption – but now it’s Sunday morning, making it impossible for many Mass-goers, who rely on their car, to access religious services. My own church of St Michael the Archangel on Belfast’s Finaghy Road was effected again when the local roads were closed off. Mass numbers were down by at least a third. Frankly I wasn’t sure whether to be angry over this injustice or just give in the infectious joy of the crowd, as they encouraged the runners.

Researchers have found that the rhythmic repetition of the prayers calms the amygdala and actives the parasympathetic nervous system”

That’s when I saw the sign. “You’ve got this, Paddies,” This mantra says everything about our culture: the focus on the individual rather than God – on the notion that we thrive on our own strength. In this age of overwhelm, I would be drowning without God –and it is clear many are. Jesus never said, “You’ve got this!” It all sounds very positive but, in Matthew, 11:28, Our Lord says: “Come to me all you who are weary, and burdened and I will give you rest.”  And St Peter tells us (1 Peter 5:7), “Cast all your anxiety on Him because he cares for you.” Then there’s St Paul who tells us in Ephesians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Imagine if we as a Church got really serious about communicating that message? Why not invest in a ‘Wear a cross’ billboard campaign with a beautiful image of Christ, and the words: “Come to me all those who are stressed anxious and suicidal…” How about, “With my God I can scale any wall” (Ps 18:29). It’s bound to be more effective the “Hello, how are you” campaign? Imagine having to remind people to say this! Just one of the costly mental health promotions. I recently asked a group of teenagers if any of them suffered from anxiety. Not one put their hand up – though I could see a few squeezing rubber balls to deal with anxiety.

I was heartened by the billboards promoting the All-Ireland Rosary rally at the National Shrine on June 6. I passed one on the Andersonstown Road. Just what the world needs – more prayer, more rosaries. And it already happening, with men’s rosary groups popping up in towns across Ireland – and beyond. The rosary can be a challenging pray but Mary, in one of 15 graces, promises us peace in our lives. In fact, researchers have found that the rhythmic repetition of the prayers calms the amygdala and actives the parasympathetic nervous system. In other words, the rosary reduces stress and promotes wellness of being.

This month – the traditional month dedicated to Mary – parishioners at St Peter’s Cathedral in Belfast are gathering at various Marian shrines on Wednesday evenings in the district. The shrines were put up years ago by a parishioner and so far, there has been two rosary sessions on May 6, and another on May 13 for the Feast of Our Lady of Fatima. “It has been working well,” said curate Brian Watters. “On the first night, we had a good crowd, people who wouldn’t necessarily be Mass attenders who had seen it on Facebook.” This initiative was last tried in 2022 following a lot of deaths in the area. Then a dozen turned out but this year so far, the numbers are up – thirty people on the first night, reciting the rosary. That’s 1500 ‘Hail Marys’ for the sick, for the dying, for an end to war.

Derry

I do hope many thousands turn out in Derry for the worldwide Marian procession to Jesus through Mary. It begins with at with 24 hours of adoration on Friday, June 12, the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The following day on the Feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, morning Mass will be celebrated at St Mary’s, Creggan, followed by rosary in Guildhall Square and a procession to Celtic Park, GAA stadium with Mass and benediction.

You can put on green – it is a very calming colour. And yes, you ask how someone is – and of course can talk to a friend about your troubles. It helps when people listen. But when you turn to God, let go of everything and take time to pray, God not only listens, He heals and acts. He delights in our prayer and our company. It is He after all who draws us to Him, waiting for our attention. There is a reason Christians wear crosses, and why St Paul urges us to, “Put on Christ” – our strength and our shield.

The fining of a retired Christian pastor for breaching a so-called abortion zone is just another shocking example of religious freedom being eroded in Ireland. These zones, which operate at abortion centres, North and South, are draconian. They are supposed to protect women. They are not in the interests of the child in the womb. Clive Johnston (78) from Sion Mills, Co. Tyrone, was fined £450 because he held a brief Sunday Christian service in the zone and preached on John 3:16. The word abortion was not mentioned. The news report said one “protected person” was in the vicinity. What exactly are they being protected from? Ciarán Kelly from the Christian Institute expressed his disappointment and, along with Mr Johnson, is seeking options for an appeal.

An 85-year-old with Parkinson’s has just released a ten-track album. How very life affirming. Of course, superstar Neil Diamond is not your average octogenarian. But it’s a pretty amazing grace that he is still busy living – still spreading a beautiful noise that rang out at a Dublin show I attended as a much younger fan. We can all learn a thing or two from the ‘Jewish Elvis’ who penned, in Man of God: “I am a man of faith, and faith is something you can’t see, But if we want to make it through, Faith is how it is gonna be…” In that light the Swiss Guard’s playing of Sweet Caroline in a surprise for our American Pope seems a little less odd!