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MENTAL HEALTH ministry
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what is Mental health ministry ?Attending to those who suffer from or are touched by mental illness in our community to provide hope, healing, support, and compassion.
Mental Health Ministry leaders do not take on the roles of health professionals, such as psychologists, psychiatrists, and therapists. Rather, they provide prayer, accompaniment, and human connections within parish communities. These lay ministers serve as prayerful companions for fellow parishioners experiencing mental illness, provide them with referrals, walk with them, and provide parish-wide education on mental health subjects.
If you or someone you know is interested in information about bringing Mental Health Ministry to your parish, please contact the Office of Life, Justice, and Peace by emailing [email protected].
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“Whoever suffers mental illness always bears God’s image and likeness, and has an inalienable right to be considered a person and treated as such.”
Pope Saint John Paul II
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Mental Health Support
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Los Angeles Department of Mental Health:
- For 24/7 assistance, call 1-800-854-7771
- For online support, visit the Department of Mental Health website
- CLUE Spiritual Care Hotline for laity seeking spiritual, emotional support during COVID: 213-477-7468
Bilingual/Bicultural Mental Health Care: UCLA’s Hispanic Neuropsychiatric Center of Excellence has partnered with the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health to meet the mental health needs of bilingual and bicultural Latino/a individuals. Call (310) 206-9326 or email [email protected].
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI): This organization is made up of local chapters and provides education, services, and support for those struggling with mental health issues. Find your local chapter here.
TeenLine offers a teen to teen hotline where youth can talk about their struggles with someone who ‘gets it’, a trained teen volunteer. The hotline is supervised by mental health professionals who provide support to teen volunteers. It provides a safe, non judgmental space for youth to reach out anonymously to talk about their stress, learn ways to cope, identify their support network and get helpful resources.
Youth can contact the hotline any night of the week from 6-10PM PST at (800) 852-8336 or text TEEN to 839863 (6-9PM PST).
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Suicide Prevention and Awareness
If you recognize someone struggling, you can support them. Talk to them, pray with them, ask them if they’ve thought about suicide, and suggest they reach out for professional help. There is hope and healing in Christ, who loves each of us beyond measure. And we can be His hands and feet to our brothers and sisters with mental illness.
If you or someone you know is facing suicidal thoughts,- Call 1-800-273-TALK (24-hour hotline)
- Visit SuicidePreventionLifeline.org
Additional Information:
- Suicide Prevention: How to Talk About Suicide – Helpguide
- Depression and Suicide: A Catholic Perspective – Dr. Aaron Kheriaty, National Catholic Register
- What You or Your Friends Need to Know About Suicidal Thoughts – Leah Darrow, FOCUS
- Why Does God Let Us Suffer – video by Chris Stefanick
- International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day - https://afsp.org/
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Catholic Mental Health Resources
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Addressing Mental Health at Your Parish
- Review A Pastoral Response to Mental Illness: Resources for the Catholic Community from the National Partnership on Disability.
- Explore the Respect Life Week resources for Mental Health and invite students, at a grade-appropriate level, to understand why we believe what we do and what we can do to build a Culture of Life.
- Email Office of Life, Justice, & Peace [email protected] to start a Mental Health Ministry at your parish.
- Join the Association of Catholic Mental Health Ministers: LA Chapter.
Finding a Catholic Mental Health Professional
- The Archdiocese of Los Angeles Office of Marriage and Family Life has a registry of Catholic therapists. Contact the Office of Marriage and Family Life to receive assistance connecting with a Catholic therapist within the Archdiocese.
- CatholicPsych has wonderful online assistance as well. Complete a contact form and be connected with a therapist within 24 hours.
Other Resources
- Mental Health First Aid is a skills-based training course that teaches participants about mental health and substance-use issues.
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st. dymphna, pray for all people sufferingfrom mental illness
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Pastoral Response to Suicide Webinar Information and Past Recording
A webinar for clergy, mental health ministers, school/parish, and other ministry leaders was presented on Tuesday, September 20, 2022, by Deacon Ed Shoener. This webinar was intended to provide a ministerial and pastoral perspective on:
- Education regarding the prevalence and risk variables of suicide in youth and adults.
- Knowledge about the signs and the understanding of practical steps for assisting youth and adults contemplating suicide.
- Pastoral accompaniment with families after a suicide has occurred, providing guidance and resources.
Deacon Ed Shoener is the Founding member of the Association of Catholic Mental Health Ministers and the Catholic Institute of Mental Health Ministry at the University of San Diego.
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The association of catholic mental health Ministers
The mission of the Association of Catholic Mental Health Ministers is to support parishes and dioceses in establishing mental health ministries. Mental health ministries provide vital spiritual accompaniment for people experiencing mental health challenges and mental illness, as well as those who care for them.
Click here to watch:
A Message for Sibling Survivors of Suicide Loss: Learn to Share Your Story
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