May is Mental Health Awareness Month in the United States and many other countries.
Mental health struggles are not a sign of weak faith. Many of the saints—people we now recognize as close to God—endured anxiety, depression, scrupulosity, and even emotional breakdowns. Their lives remind us that God remains with us in our suffering.
Here are 10 saints who struggled with mental health, and how they found peace through God’s grace.
1. St. Dymphna – The Patron Saint of Mental Illness (circa 620 – 650)
St. Dymphna was a 7th-century Irish princess who fled her mentally unstable father, King Damon, after he became obsessed with marrying her. When she refused, he tragically killed her. Over the centuries, pilgrims have visited her burial site in Gheel, Belgium, where miraculous healings for mental illnesses have been reported.
Peace found through: unwavering faith and martyrdom in defense of purity.
Martyrdom isn’t always by death or violence. It can also take the form of everyday sacrifices. The Church calls this the “martyrdom of daily life”: doing ordinary tasks with extraordinary love. Whether it’s giving up our time, comfort, money, or attention for the sake of others, these hidden acts of love can become a path to holiness and inner peace.
St. Dymphna is the Patron Saint of mental illness, nervous disorders, depression, domestic abuse, victims of incest, and runaways
2. St. John of God – From “Madness” to Mercy (1495-1550)
After a traumatic military experience, St. John of God suffered what today would be considered a nervous breakdown. He was hospitalized and mistreated in a mental institution. Once recovered, he dedicated his life to the mentally ill, founding the Hospitaller Order also Known as the Brothers of Mercy.
Peace found through: serving others who suffered as he did.
Turning outward in compassion is a powerful way to break the cycle of self-focused anxiety or despair. When we care for people facing serious health challenges—such as dementia, chronic illness, or cancer—we begin to see beyond our own pain. Helping others redirects our attention to what truly matters: love, presence, and the dignity of every human person.
St. John of God is the Patron Saint of hospitals, nurses, firefighters, the sick, and alcoholics
3. St. Thérèse of Lisieux – Battling Anxiety and Darkness (1873-1897)
Thérèse experienced severe scrupulosity and emotional distress as a child. Her “dark night” deepened as she neared death from tuberculosis. She described herself as “suffering deeply” in spirit but clung to confidence in God’s mercy.
Peace found through: her “Little Way” of trust, humility, and spiritual childhood.
St. Thérèse of Lisieux believed that holiness could be found in small, hidden acts of love. Her approach—loving God through simple, everyday actions—offers a practical path for anyone. Whether it’s offering a smile to someone we find difficult, completing daily chores with patience and gratitude, or bearing small annoyances without complaint, these little sacrifices become powerful ways to grow in grace.
St. Therese of Lisieux is the Patron Saint of foreign missions, florists, the sick (especially those with tuberculosis), and priests. She is also a Doctor of the Church meaning her writings have been found to be of sound and deep theological insight, and universally applicable to all the Faithful.
4. St. Benedict Joseph Labre – The Holy Outcast (1748 – 1783)
Rejected by several monasteries due to mental health struggles and erratic behavior, St. Benedict Joseph Labre lived as a beggar and pilgrim. He was misunderstood in his time, but loved the Eucharist deeply and radiated holiness.
Peace found through: Eucharistic adoration and total humility.
Spending time in the presence of Christ in the Blessed Sacrament offers deep peace of mind and heart. Adoration is more than silent prayer—it’s a sacred space to pour out your sorrows, surrender your burdens, meditate and open your heart completely to Jesus. In this quiet encounter, many find clarity, comfort, and healing.
St. Benedict Joseph Labre is the Patron Saint of the homeless and those struggling with mental health
5. St. Ignatius of Loyola – Wrestling with Scrupulosity (1491 – 1556)
After his conversion, Ignatius became obsessed with confessing every possible sin. His intense scrupulosity nearly led him to despair. Only later, through prayer and discernment, did he realize these thoughts were not from God.
Peace found through: spiritual discernment and the guidance of his Spiritual Exercises.
St. Ignatius of Loyola developed the Spiritual Exercises to help people deepen their relationship with God and to gain clarity in times of emotional or spiritual turmoil. These exercises offer a practical path for spiritual growth and interior peace.
A well-structured spiritual routine can bring order to our inner life. Simple practices—such as starting the day with the Morning Offering prayer, attending Daily Mass (or making a Spiritual Communion when Mass isn’t possible), and praying the Rosary daily—help reorient our mind toward God. These habits not only ground us but also lift our perspective above anxiety and scrupulosity.
Spiritual discernment, a key part of Ignatian spirituality, helps us identify the true source of our thoughts, feelings, and inner movements. With the guidance of a spiritual director or a faithful Christian therapist, we learn to distinguish what is of God and what is not—focusing our energy on what truly matters and letting go of unnecessary burdens.
St. Ignatius of Loyola is the Patron Saint of Jesuits, spiritual retreats and soldiers
6. St. Elizabeth Ann Seton – Grieving with Faith (1774 – 1821)
Elizabeth suffered the deaths of her husband and two children, financial ruin, and social rejection after converting to Catholicism. These losses brought her intense grief and what today might be diagnosed as depression.
Peace found through: the sacraments and a life of active service, especially in founding the Sisters of Charity.
After her conversion to Catholicism, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton embraced the faith wholeheartedly. Strengthened by the grace of baptism and confirmation and guided by her spiritual advisors, she responded to the needs of her time by opening a Catholic school for girls—the first of its kind in the United States. In serving others, especially through Catholic education, she discovered deep spiritual peace and purpose.
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton is the Patron Saint of Catholic schools, educators/teachers, loss of parents, widows, orphans, people persecuted/rejected for their faith.
7. St. Oscar Romero – A Quiet Soul with Inner Turmoil (1917-1980)
Though bold in public, Romero was deeply sensitive, suffered from anxiety, and often felt inadequate. His diaries reveal insomnia, fear of persecution, and loneliness. Still, he faced martyrdom with courage.
Peace found through: the Eucharist and daily Holy Hour as well as long-term therapy.
Oscar Romero is the Patron Saint of Persecuted Christians, El Salvador
Image Copyright: Leif S.Getty
8. St. Joseph of Cupertino – Mocked for His Mental State (1603-1663)
St. Joseph struggled with learning disabilities and was dismissed as unintelligent. He faced ridicule, but he had mystical experiences (levitated too) and deep humility, which led to his canonization despite society’s misunderstanding.
Peace found through: simplicity and childlike devotion to Mary and the Eucharist.
St. Joseph of Cupertino is the Patron Saint of Aviation, Pilots, Astronauts, Mental illness
9. St. Teresa of Calcutta – The Long Dark Night (1910 – 1997)
Mother Teresa wrote letters revealing decades of spiritual desolation. While outwardly radiant, she confessed to feeling interior darkness, abandonment by God, and emotional anguish.
Peace found through: radical service to the poor and persevering in faith.
St. Teresa of Calcutta is the Patron Saint of World Youth Day, Missionaries of Charity
10. St. Frances Xavier Cabrini – Anxiety in a Life of Mission (1850 – 1917)
Despite her frail health and nervous temperament, Mother Cabrini founded 67 institutions worldwide. She constantly feared failure but trusted Jesus, especially through devotion to the Sacred Heart.
Peace found through: action rooted in prayer and devotion.
She is credited with specific prayers to fight anxiety such as: Jesus, fortify me with the grace of your Holy Spirit and give your peace to my Soul that I may be free of all needless anxiety, solicitude, and worry. Help me to desire always that which is pleasing and acceptable to You so that your will may be my own. (Credit: St. Frances Cabrini Shrine)
St. Frances Xavier Cabrini is the Patron Saint of Immigrants
You Are Not Alone
The saints’ stories remind us that mental and emotional suffering do not disqualify us from holiness. In fact, they can be the very path through which God draws us closer to Himself.
“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted, and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” —Psalm 34:18
If you are struggling with mental health, seek professional help (try to find a Christian therapist where possible), confide in a trusted friend or priest, and invite these saints to walk with you.
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