Proposing Mental Health Awareness Inputs for Marital Relations

Abstract

One of the seven sacraments which arises from the ministry of Christ and continued by the Catholic Church is the Sacrament of Matrimony. Given that Matrimony is a sacrament, the Church recognizes the importance of protecting its binding effect in couples (unitive) and continuation of God’s vocation in human life (procreative). Still, the Church does not discredit the factors surrounding and affecting the integrity of the marriage of Catholic couples. It is aware of all the challenges that are faced by every couple that most often leads to their separation, annulment, or divorce. It is in this regard that this research explores the possibility of giving emphasis on the necessity of mental health awareness in Catholic marriage. It is not enough that couples are in love. It is equally important that they are aware of each other's mental state. In order to explore the possible benefits of mental health awareness in strengthening relationships, this research will do a review of related literature that tackles Common Mental Health Issues that Married People Experience and their Possible Causes and the perspective of Catechism of the Catholic Church on Marriage. Through these various related literatures, the researchers will do a metasynthesis in order to see how mental health awareness might strengthen the credibility of marriage of Catholic couples.