Deities associated with psychology/mental health

[dreamweaver]

I've been wondering which deities would be associated with psychology and/or mental health. Since in ancient times the concepts of psychology and mental health didn't exist in the way we think of them today I'm unsure of which, if any, gods would today be associated with either.

Any opinions would be really appreciated.

[Aster Breo]

I've been wondering which deities would be associated with psychology and/or mental health.

Do you have a specific culture in mind?

[SkySamuelle]

I've been wondering which deities would be associated with psychology and/or mental health. Since in ancient times the concepts of psychology and mental health didn't exist in the way we think of them today I'm unsure of which, if any, gods would today be associated with either.

Any opinions would be really appreciated.

 
I always associated psychology with Hekate, being the traveling inward and dispersion of nightmares/shadows much her realm.

[Nachtigall]

I've been wondering which deities would be associated with psychology and/or mental health. Since in ancient times the concepts of psychology and mental health didn't exist in the way we think of them today I'm unsure of which, if any, gods would today be associated with either.

Any opinions would be really appreciated.

 
In Hellenic pantheon, Apollon and Dionysus, maybe also Persephone and Hekate. Asclepius probably as well, as a god of medicine in general.

[Waldhexe]

It might also be interesting to look for deities who could help with specific issues. f.ex. a god/ess of war might have insights about fear, a god/ess of love or marriage about relationship issues etc.

[Sage]

I've been wondering which deities would be associated with psychology and/or mental health. Since in ancient times the concepts of psychology and mental health didn't exist in the way we think of them today I'm unsure of which, if any, gods would today be associated with either.

Any opinions would be really appreciated.

 
Brighid - well, the Lady of the Stars who I mostly see as Brighid (it's a super long story) was the first goddess I really felt years after leaving Christianity and becoming a Pagan of various stripes. She showed up in my life the month after I was diagnosed with dysthymia (minor depression) and was put on meds. I'm even working on a self-help guide about dealing with depression (applicable to other mental illnesses, but specifically about my experiences with depression) through a Brighidine lens.

Brighid in my UPG is a mental health healer.

[Aster Breo]

Brighid in my UPG is a mental health healer.

Yes.

[Aisling]

Brighid in my UPG is a mental health healer.

 
Thanks for sharing this.  It's stirred up some thinky thoughts for me.  Hmm...

[Aster Breo]

Thanks for sharing this.  It's stirred up some thinky thoughts for me.  Hmm...

I think Brighid comes at mental health from 2 directions: as a healer and as an advocate for mental health parity and better, more easily accessible mental health supports.  It's a social justice thing, as well as a health thing.

Just my $0.02.

~ Aster

[Aisling]

I think Brighid comes at mental health from 2 directions: as a healer and as an advocate for mental health parity and better, more easily accessible mental health supports.  It's a social justice thing, as well as a health thing.

Just my $0.02.

~ Aster

 
Hmm, even more thinky thoughts, which need to be filed away for a day when I'm not fighting a cold and feeling like my brain is slowly leaking out of my ears.

[dreamweaver]

Hmm, even more thinky thoughts, which need to be filed away for a day when I'm not fighting a cold and feeling like my brain is slowly leaking out of my ears.

 
Thank you all for your answers! I should have mentioned the reason why I was wondering about which deities are associated with psychology/mental health. It's because I'm hoping to work in the mental health field eventually. I was actually hoping someone would mention Brighid since she is the goddess I feel the closest to as writing novels is my other passion in life. I already knew she was associated with health but was not sure if that includes mental health.

[dreamweaver]

Do you have a specific culture in mind?

 
No, I'm curious about which deities from different cultures are associated with psychology/mental health.

[Shine]

No, I'm curious about which deities from different cultures are associated with psychology/mental health.

 
I'm not sure if there are any from the Kemetic pantheon. Perhaps Sekhmet or Serqet? I've heard Serqet cited especially for things like addictions. Imhotep and in some cases Nefertum might be good candidates, too.

UPG from here on down.

I've found Bast and Anpu to be very helpful with mental issues if you ask. Bast from a "Lady of Light" perspective. Anpu from an "Opener of the Way", "Master of Keys", and "Patron of the Lost" perspective.

[Nyktipolos]

I'm not sure if there are any from the Kemetic pantheon. Perhaps Sekhmet or Serqet? I've heard Serqet cited especially for things like addictions. Imhotep and in some cases Nefertum might be good candidates, too.

 
Heka might be a good choice, as he was linked to health and wholeness. (My UPG indicates he would be.)

I'd also second Dionysos, especially when it comes to mental illness. The madness he inspired was meant to be healthy and connect you to the divine (although he could also invoke the opposite). He could also remove mental illness or dis-ease and heal you under his epithet, Meilichios. I suppose this could sound contradictory, but in the Greek world not necessarily so. Apollon could inflect disease but also heal it, Aphrodite with love, etc.

[Shine]

I'd also second Dionysos, especially when it comes to mental illness. The madness he inspired was meant to be healthy and connect you to the divine (although he could also invoke the opposite). He could also remove mental illness or dis-ease and heal you under his epithet, Meilichios. I suppose this could sound contradictory, but in the Greek world not necessarily so. Apollon could inflect disease but also heal it, Aphrodite with love, etc.

 
It makes sense that one who could give something could also take it away.