Catholic mental health ministry. May is also Mental Health Awareness Month.

Catholic mental health ministry Mental health treatment, on the other hand, involves diagnosis, therapy and/or medication, and is science-based to reduce symptoms and distress. Mental Health Ministry at the diocesan level often requires additional funding to cover diocesan staff costs. These lay ministers serve as Are you new to the concept of Mental Health Ministry and its significance in the context of the Church, Parish, Dioceses,and Catholic Communities? This course is designed to provide a comprehensive understanding. Jan 30, 2024 · He soon founded the Association of Catholic Mental Health Ministers, a non-profit that supports parishes and dioceses in establishing mental health ministries. We primarily provide support through holy listening, that is, listening in the context of the healing presence of God. Rather, they provide prayer, accompaniment, and human connections within parish communities. What is Mental Health Ministry? Mental health ministries provide vital spiritual accompaniment for people experiencing mental health Attending to those who suffer from or are touched by mental illness in our community to provide hope, healing, support, and compassion. Being an active member of a close-knit religious community can provide structure, support and a sense of acceptance, all of which are beneficial to mental health and wellbeing. ACMHM members see Dec 23, 2024 · Two Lancaster County parishes joined forces in 2024 to reduce the stigma of mental illness. We pray that mental health ministry becomes an integral ministry in the Church that is available in every Catholic parish and community. Mental Health Ministry is the process of spiritual accompaniment with others as they experience God's presence, love, and healing. The Diocese of Madison does not endorse or validate any services or practices that are contrary to the Catholic faith. The Office of Mental Health Ministry seeks to accompany those with mental health needs in our parish and school communities in a Catholic, sustainable, ethical, and meaningful way. A mental health ministry team serves to educate and support their parish to become a place where fellow Catholics facing mental health challenges will be welcomed with compassion and sensitivity, encouraged to fuller participation in the faith life of the community while continuing on their recovery journey. Rooted in the healing love of Christ, this ministry offers hope, accompaniment, and understanding to those who may feel isolated or overwhelmed. Members of the CMHM work to make mental health ministry an integral ministry in the Church that is available in every Catholic parish and community throughout the world: FOR People living with a mental illness We provide spiritual support to people living with a mental illness to assist them to live in holiness. We want to assist you in starting a sustainable mental health ministry in your community. . Practical Support – Ministry members are familiar with the many public and private support services available to families in their local communities and will share a list of resources that may The Mental Health Ministry of the Archdiocese of San Francisco is a compassionate outreach dedicated to supporting individuals and families experiencing mental health challenges. The Association of Catholic Mental Health Ministers is a lay association whose members walk with people living with a mental illness and their families to help them find the support and services that they need. Spiritual support groups p rovide spiritual and social support Catholic Mental Health Resources - Catholic mental health counselors, mental health support groups and more for or by Catholics. Ministry takes the form of faith-based, God-centered and trained volunteer-led journeying with those experiencing mental wellbeing challenges, “without direct The Catholic Institute for Mental Health Ministry develops, provides and facilitates an effective and responsive network of trained mental health organizers and mental health ministry leaders in Dioceses and parishes throughout the United States. Joachim, Diocese of Orange Mental Health Ministry Retreat Resources Oct 6, 2025 · help and healing NAMI Resources | NAMI: National Alliance on Mental Illness SAMHSA – Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Catholic Recovery: Offering hope and healing for those recovering from addictions, compulsions, and unhealthy attachments A Parent’s Guide to Suicide & Self-harm Prevention The mental health ministry leaders and teams will serve as "prayerful companions" for fellow parishioners experiencing mental illness, provide them with referrals, walk with them through the treatment process, and provide parish-wide education on the subject of mental illness. Watch the stories below! We offer an easy-to-access learning experience that is engaging and informative. 1 in 18 will experience a serious mental illness. Catholic Insitute for Mental Health Ministry at the University of San Diego Our method is to develop, provide and facilitate an effective and responsive network of trained mental health ministry leaders in Dioceses and parishes throughout the United States. Please email [email protected] with any questions or concerns about specific services or practices offered by the organizations below. Faith-Based Mental health The organizations listed on this site are for informational purposes only. The Association of Catholic Mental Health Ministers (CMHM) partners with the Pope's Worldwide Prayer Network and Click to Pray to offer a Monthly The Catholic Institute for Mental Health Ministry (CIMHM) is located in the School of Leadership and Education Science (SOLES) at the University of San Diego. Our mission is to make mental health ministry an integral part of every Catholic parish and community across the globe. The Diocese of Phoenix Office of Mental Health Ministry is a member of the Association of Catholic Mental Health Ministers. Starting on May 6th, Let us pray a novena to St. Francis of Assisi Church in San Jose to initiate 3GEN+, a parish-based Mental Health Ministry. Mental health ministry provides vital spiritual accompaniment for people experiencing mental health challenges and mental illness, as well as those who care for them. May 15, 2024 · Following a 2023 USCCB initiative, Catholics across the country and the world have been working in their local communities to address the mental health crisis. It is focused on providing awareness, advocacy, and accompaniment for individuals living with mental health challenges. This Association is coordinated by a team of lay, ordained, and consecrated ministry leaders, with the support of Bishop John Dolan of Phoenix (episcopal liaison and chaplain Introduction to Mental Health Ministry is designed for Catholic parishes looking to take the next step after completing The Sanctuary Course for Catholics. Mental Health Ministry helps parishes and schools build compassionate, supportive communities and reduce the stigma of mental illness. You will have the opportunity to share your own experiences and process challenges through the lens of Scripture and Catholic teaching. Association of Catholic Mental Health Ministers Houston Chapter is an Ecumenical Ministry under the umbrella of Our Mother of Mercy Catholic Church/ Archdiocese of Galveston/Houston. Association of Catholic Mental Health Ministers To support the development of local ministries and support groups, the Association of Catholic Mental Health Ministers is available for more information and resources. The following steps may be used as a guide and can help give you direction The stories of Mental Health Ministry are filled with lessons, hope, and are a reflection of Christ’s mercy and love. If you have mental health emergency, please call 911. We welcome parishes to start or expand their ministry in reaching out to one another to help in the very common incidence of mental illness. A Catholic Mental Health Ministry could offer a framework in which mental health professionals who share the same faith could provide care in alignment with the principles of Catholic teaching. Get updated on our upcoming mental health initiatives: Auspice Mariae, Consolatrix Afflictorum ~ Under the Protection of Mary, Comforter of the Afflicted Click on the arrows below to open up the full list of resources. This book is ideal for individuals seeking to positively impact their community through mental health ministry, including parish leaders, educators, volunteers, and anyone passionate about enhancing mental health support within Catholic settings. It is important to realize that these are spiritual support meetings, not clinical support group meetings. It serves as the Indian chapter of the Association of Catholic Mental Health Ministers. It is a faith- based mental health support group where you can come encounter Jesus through community, support, and scripture. As one of the church’s newest ministries, formation is critical to increase our knowledge, our skills, and our confidence as we seek to serve in Catholic mental health ministry. ) About us: We are lay ministers who are there to be a good listener and to help each other get to mental health resources and Introduction to Catholic Mental Health Ministry How to start or further develop a Mental Health Ministry Discover how you can be a driving force in providing impactful mental health ministry to your community. Peter parishes in Columbia. Deacon Shoener shared this story at a first-of-its kind conference in the Vatican on Monday, which brought together individuals active in Catholic mental health ministry across the globe. With an emphasis on providing tools and resources, our leaders will be equipped to meet those in the community who are experiencing a mental health challenge or crisis with confidence Mental health ministry is vital to our mission as Catholics to reach out to the marginalized to offer comfort, healing, and accompaniment. Taking time to set up the ministry is important to ensure the proper supports are in place to keep the ministry growing. Access to our Catholic Mental Health Ministry Learning Center to take free online courses to give you the confidence and skills to start a mental health ministry. The Diocese of San Diego has an established Mental Health Ministry Network that serves as one potentially replicable example. Catholic Charities clinical staff and Mental Health Ministries provides training for clergy, parish ministry and school leaders and laity on the most current understanding of mental wellness and mental illness. The focus of this ministry is education, accompaniment, and advocacy. The mission is to support Catholic parishes and dioceses in establishing mental health ministries. Project Hope is part of the Archdiocese of Indianapolis Mental Health Ministry. If you are looking for resources for mental health in Orange County, please see our resources pages in English or Spanish or contact your health insurance company. Mental Health Ministry in the Diocese of Madison is rooted in the Church’s mission to love, serve, and walk with those who are suffering. Members of the ACMHM work to make mental health ministry an integral ministry in the Church that is available in every Catholic parish and community throughout the world. The leadership team comprises priests, religious, professionals, and laypeople, working together to fulfill our mission. About Us We are a Lay Association of the Catholic Faithful dedicated to healing and supporting individuals struggling with mental illness. The MENTAL HEALTH MINISTRY focuses on ways to erase stigma in our faith community and the larger community, and to become more welcoming to people with mental illness and their families. Many dioceses assign part time mental health ministry related duties to a staff member already serving in the diocese’s offices, Catholic Charities, or Catholic Social Services. How to Start or Further Develop Mental Health Ministry Mental health ministry is vital to our mission as Catholics to reach out to the marginalized to offer comfort, healing, and accompaniment. About Us CMHM India is an approved ministry under the CBCI Commission for Healthcare, based in Bengaluru, India. Nov 4, 2025 · Spiritual Companionship -Mental health ministry team members lead small groups that offer spiritual support to those with lived experience of mental health struggles and their families or caregivers. Advance your career with professional and continuing education from the University of San Diego. Our team consists of Church leaders, Mental Health Ministers, and Mental Health Professionals, including those with lived Mental Health experience, either personally or through loved ones. The mental health Mental Health Ministry Spiritual Support Group Meetings can be offered to support people who are living a mental illness and to the caregivers, often parents, who are supporting a loved on who lives with a mental illness. The Columbia Catholic Mental Health Ministry began its work in February as a mission of Holy Trinity and St. Our mission is to provide unwavering support and assistance to individuals struggling with Mental Illness, as well as their families and caregivers, while actively We support Catholic parishes and dioceses in establishing mental health ministries. Catholic Mental Health Ministry Series. May is also Mental Health Awareness Month. Throughout the globe parishes, dioceses, and Catholic organizations have brought this ministry to those in their communities. We pray for the elimination of the stigma and discrimination that people living with a mental illness encounter. We affirm one’s dignity and value by letting their story unfold at their pace in a The Catholic Mental Health Ministers Prayer Ministry serves to gather our community in intentional prayer for those who are affected by mental health challenges and for our mission at CMHM. Suicide and mental health challenges impact countless communities, and we are all called to the ministry of accompaniment. Access to experienced mental health ministers who can assist you and guide you in your ministry. Dolan was ordained a priest in San Diego in 1989. Jun 6, 2025 · Deacon Shoener explained that mental health ministry primarily involves accompaniment, spiritual and social support, and is faith-based to offer spiritual hope and healing. Whether a mental health concern is episodic or long lasting, our Catholic Faith, along with professional mental health care and a supportive community, strengthens our connection to God and our ability to manage mental health challenges. Mental Health Awareness Month Example of a Diocesan Pew Card with Local Resources Mental Health Awareness Month in a Time of Coronavirus, Monsignor John Talesfore English and Spanish Statement for Mental Health Month - St. In Mass and other worship services we can acknowledge that many parishioners are facing mental health challenges so that they understand that they are welcomed and supported by their parish community. The Most Rev. It gives anyone who wants to be a Catholic mental health minister the skills and confidence to participate in mental health ministry. Spirituality is a key component in managing one’s mental health. He became the fifth bishop of Phoenix on August 2, 2022, after serving as Auxiliary Bishop and vicar general in San Diego since 2017 The Association for Catholic Mental Health Ministers (ACMHM) is a Lay Association of the Christian Faithful whose members are called to be a healing presence in the lives of people with mental illness. The mental health ministry leaders and teams will serve About Us Welcome to the Association of Catholic Mental Health Ministers (CMHM), a Catholic Lay Ministry dedicated to empowering clergy, church leaders, or lay people with education and training to establish mental health ministries. We support Catholic parishes and dioceses in establishing mental health ministries. At Our Lady of Mount Carmel, we provide faith A list of resources to help you achieve your mental health ministry goals Who should enroll? This course is ideal for individuals seeking to positively impact their community through mental health ministry, including parish leaders, educators, volunteers, and anyone passionate about enhancing mental health support within Catholic settings. We encourage actions to prevent any discrimination that would prevent them from How to Bring a Mental Health Ministry to your Parish or Catholic Community Deacon Ed Shoener, President of the Association of Catholic Mental Health Ministers, discusses how to start a mental health ministry and where a Catholic leader can find solid, faith-based resources and training. org, where we provide support, resources, and a welcoming community for mental health awareness and healing. Explore the Mental Health Ministry on rcan. Listening to stories of suicide loss can cultivate greater compassion within us and prepare us to encounter suffering with grace. (1 in 5 adults will meet diagnostic criteria for a mental illness this year. Mental Health Ministry leaders do not take on the roles of health professionals, such as psychologists, psychiatrists, and therapists. Starting a parish mental health ministry (MHM) is a gift to your parish and to those whom it will serve. The Catholic Institute for Mental Health Ministry develops, provides and facilitates an effective and responsive network of trained mental health organizers and mental health ministry leaders in Dioceses and parishes throughout the United States. John P. Mental Health Ministry Volunteers provide support and accompaniment for parishioners who may feel stigmatized or unwelcomed within their faith community. Dymphna for her loving intercession for all those dealing with mental health concerns. Mental Health Ministry is a ministry of the Apostolate for Persons with Disabilities - Diocese of Madison. Its goal is to develop, provide and facilitate an effective and responsive network of trained mental health ministry leaders in dioceses and parishes throughout the United States. 3 days ago · Catholic Institute for Mental Health Ministry NAMI Bridges to Care Mental Health First Aid If you are interested in starting a parish mental health ministry, please contact Lauren Stadelman, Director for Pastoral Care & Hospital Ministry. This ministry offers spiritual and pastoral support for individuals and families affected by mental health challenges, and it helps parish communities become places of understanding, welcome, and compassion. 3GEN+ focuses on the mental, emotional, and spiritual health of Three Generations: Teens, Parents and Elders. This course is ideal for individuals seeking to positively impact their community through mental health ministry, including parish leaders, educators, volunteers, and anyone passionate A Catholic mental health ministry recognizes the value of professional mental health care and the importance of collaboration with healthcare organizations and professionals. This resource helps parishes begin to build a mental health ministry for their particular context. Are you called to serve in Mental Health Ministry? A mental health minister serves as a prayerful companion for fellow parishioners experiencing mental health or substance abuse challenges. Project EGG (Evangelization Glorifying God) is a servant leader’s call to become helpers to parishioners/community with general mental health needs and a desire for faith connection as they address their The realities of mental health issues and illnesses need to be recognized and incorporated into the liturgy and worship of the church. Jan 19, 2023 · An essential distinction, according to The Association of Catholic Mental Health Ministers, is that mental health ministry is not the same as mental health treatment, but it is complementary to the work of mental health professionals. We have two versions Using a grant from the Catholic Institute for Mental Health, Barbara worked with the pastor and staff of her current parish, St.