Nurturing Mental Health with Spiritual Direction

Nurturing Mental Health with Spiritual Direction
SVD Mission in Contexts: Creative Responses in a Wounded World
S. Deva Savariyappan, SVD

 Introduction 

A jubilee offers not only a moment for celebration, but also a critical opportunity for spiritual renewal, introspection, and recommitment to one’s foundational mission. In the context of the 150th Jubilee of the Society of the Divine Word (SVD), the theme “Witnessing to the Light: From Everywhere for Everyone” underscores the Society’s enduring commitment to intercultural and holistic evangelization. The theme broadens the horizon of mission to include not only the proclamation of the Word but also the pastoral and psychological accompaniment of those in need.

Contemporary realities—marked by increasing levels of mental, emotional, and spiritual distress—call for an integrated approach to formation and ministry. In this light, spiritual direction emerges as a vital practice that fosters self-awareness, inner healing, and resilience. Drawing from pastoral experience in spiritual direction and counseling at St. Joseph’s Catholic Institute of Theology in Yangon, Myanmar, the author explores the intersection of spirituality and mental health, emphasizing the relevance of spiritual accompaniment as a form of mission grounded in compassion, presence, and faithful service to the whole person.

Spiritual direction is not limited to one-on-one or face-to-face encounters. It also extends to those under our care in our workplaces and among people from diverse cultures, traditions, and life experiences. As Divine Word Missionaries, we are blessed with a unique opportunity to offer guidance and bring hope to those facing life’s many challenges, as we serve in diverse, multicultural settings—transcending cultural boundaries in the spirit of our mission. Spirituality and spiritual direction contribute positively to the overall well-being of the person. In today’s world, where mental health is a growing concern, spiritual accompaniment can offer meaning, inner peace, and resilience. By listening with compassion and journeying with others in faith, we support not just their spiritual growth, but their holistic well-being—mind, body, and soul.

We are called to be a light for those who dwell in the darkness of fear, anxiety, and life’s many trials. This Jubilee Year renews our calling and challenges us once again to live as true “Witnesses to the Light—From Everywhere for Everyone.”