Dr. Melese said the mental health crisis has been exacerbated by the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, “especially among the poor and vulnerable in our society. Socio-economic factors also have a negative impact on mental health.”
All Saints (2nd April) and Our Lady of Mercy (26 March) Parishes held a discussion with community collaborators on the importance of mental health and working against stigma and discrimination associated to mental health illness.
A one-year pilot project funded by the Association of Catholic Mental Health Ministers (ACMHM) for the period January-December 2022 to support the Catholic parishes of All Saints and Our Lady of Mercy in the Archdiocese of Johannesburg to develop a Mental Health Ministry (MHM) as an integral part of their parish activities. The project is designed to reach out to the communities of Emdeni, Ennerdale and nearby areas.
CATHCA support for Catholic parishes of All Saints and Our Lady of Mercy in the Archdiocese of Johannesburg to develop a Mental Health Ministry (MHM) as an integral part of their parish activities.
Emergency departments within the Bon Secours Mercy Health system have seen a surge of children and adolescents who have attempted or talked about suicide; who have injured themselves; or who are grappling with anxiety, depression or other mental illnesses during the pandemic.
The mental health ministry support group gatherings in Scranton transitioned to online ZOOM meetings, but have returned to in-person sessions requiring facial masks and social distancing. Support ministry for those suffering from mental illness continues to meet on the second and fourth Saturday of the month from 10:00-11:30am at the Saint Peter Cathedral Rectory. For family and friends who support those living with mental illness, meetings are held on the first Tuesday of the month at 6:00pm in the rectory.
Starting on Tuesday, April 19 the Scranton Mental Health Ministry at the Cathedral of Saint Peter will present a five-part series for families on mental health and mental illness to reduce stigma and discrimination through education and factual information about mental health conditions. The series reinforces the core Christian belief that everyone has dignity and value and should be fully welcomed into the Church and the community. The series will be every Tuesday evening at the Diocesan Pastoral Center on Wyoming Avenue from 6:30-8:00pm from April 19 to May 17.
by Northeast & Central Pennsylvania Chapter Resources
We provide therapy services, psychological assessments and psychiatric care for children, adolescents and adults with a variety of mental health issues. We also provide specialty services for children with severe mental illness as well as those who have experienced abuse or violence.
by Northeast & Central Pennsylvania Chapter Resources
Scranton Counseling Center is a community based, private nonprofit behavioral health provider serving children, adolescents and adults with mental health and substance abuse issues in Lackawanna, Susquehanna, and surrounding counties without regard to ability to pay.
The war in Ukraine caused an acute humanitarian crisis. According to the UN, more than 1 million Ukrainians have already left the country, leaving their homes and losing contact with loved ones. The Catholic Mental Health Ministry in Moldova has started a project to organize volunteer groups to provide psychological assistance for the refugees and their children. In this Lent we meet the suffering Christ in our neighbors as we never have done before.
An envisaged Catholic Parish health apostolate aims to raise awareness about mental issues, an official of the entity behind the initiative has said. In a recent interview with ACI Africa, the skills development Coordinator of the Catholic Health Care Association of Southern Africa (CATHCA) said that through the envisaged Catholic Parish initiative, stigma and discrimination against those living with mental illness will be reduced and the people of God will be equipped with the necessary tools to address the “lack of understanding” about mental illness.
Rutilio Grande, S.J., who will be beatified on Jan. 22, was a deeply committed priest with extraordinary pastoral gifts. This was apparent particularly in his efforts to empower the laity and bring the spirit of the Second Vatican Council—as well as the Latin American Bishops’ Conference in Medellín, Colombia—to life in impoverished El Salvador during the lead-up to that country’s civil war. Not content to impose solutions from above, Father Grande was committed to what Pope Francis would later call “the culture of encounter.” Because of his efforts to raise the consciousness of the poor and advocate for land reform, he and two parishioners were gunned down by a death squad in 1977 less than one month after Óscar Romero had been installed as archbishop of San Salvador. Father Grande’s assassination had a profound effect on Archbishop Romero, who spent the rest of his life speaking boldly and prophetically against oppression until, he, too, was killed by a death squad.
The IPS Center for Psychological Services is committed to providing high quality mental health care from a Catholic Christian worldview of the person, which allows us to take into account your needs on a biological, social, psychological and spiritual level.
Our Mission: To promote and inspire transformation in the heart of the Church, by healing and equipping God’s people for the New Evangelization. This mission is fulfilled in the very heart of the Church, helping people activate the fullness of their sacramental graces, while transforming their lives.
Kudos to Houston Chapter members Pastor James McLaughlin, Cleo McLaughlin, Rebecca E. Wills, Alicia Yancy, Beverly Francis, Eva Matthews, Riley Blocker & Pastor Wade Edwards for completing the three day Family Support Group Facilitator Training sponsored by NAMI Greater Houston. Phenomenal Trainers Gary Eagleton and Angelina Hudson (center)
Claire Shynett, coordinator of the Houston chapter brief interview with Kate Scanton for Catholic News Agency. With concerns that suicide rates are rising in communities of color during the pandemic, Catholic mental health workers say the Church can play a key role in response.
Called to Love Again is a ministry that supports those who have suffered or are currently suffering the tragedy of a divorce or marital separation. The Catholic Church accepts and welcomes you and seeks to help you heal and restore you to peace, joy & hope! Founded and facilitated by divorced Catholics, our group is open to all and focuses on prayer, formation and fellowship.
For nine days, join in praying the St. Dymphna novena for someone you may know who is affected by mental illness and for our community's special intentions. St. Dymphna is the patroness of those who suffer from metal affliction. Her feast day is on May 15th.
With the grace of the Holy Spirit, we create systems, events and education, as we hope to revolutionize humanity, healing and forgiving, one person at a time.
