Mental Health, The Catholic Faith and Notre Dame

(1 Credit Hour) · Undergraduate

What does mental health have to do with faith? And, how do faith and spirituality relate to mental health? Moreover, what does this mean for one's life, practically speaking? This one-credit course invites students to reflect on the intersection of faith and mental health within their own lives through both conceptual and practical integration. Bridging the disciplines of theology, psychology, and neuroscience, the course provides a framework for students to consider central questions, including the etiology of mental illness, the meaning of suffering, conceptions of healing, and the importance of relationship to human flourishing. The course supports also students' practical, personal integration of course concepts. Students will have the opportunity to reflect on how personal practices and the sacramental and communal life of faith can support the stewardship of their integral wellbeing as embodied souls. The course involves interactive lectures, including guest speakers, and small-group discussions.