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Catholic Mental Health Ministers Launches Online Learning CenterLaunched at Vatican Mental Health Conference
Free Courses offer mental health ministry resources for parishes and dioceses -
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Scranton, PA - At a time when mental health concerns are on the rise and there is increased awareness that the Catholic Church needs to respond, the Association of Catholic Mental Health Ministers (CMHM) has launched the CMHM Learning Center that offers free courses that will give volunteers, ministry coordinators, and clergy the skills and confidence to start and grow a mental health ministry in a parish or diocese. The launch was announced at the first-of-its-kind mental health conference held at the Vatican.
One in four people will be affected by a mental health challenge at some point in their lives, and yet stigma and a lack of confidence can prevent those in ministry from responding to the need for spiritual support. CMHM aims to encourage and assist parishes to create mental health ministries to provide spiritual support for those living with mental health issues. It provides the tools, methods, and insights that allow Catholic leaders to confidently and skillfully minister to people living with mental health challenges and their families.
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"It is an essential ministry in today’s climate of mounting mental health issues,” Deacon Ed Shoener, President of the CMHM, said. “Parishes are needing more and more resources to answer the growing need for support on these subjects. Spiritual support during times of crises is invaluable and cannot be overlooked. Our hope is that these courses will enable parishes to offer mental health ministries that will provide vital spiritual accompaniment for people experiencing mental health challenges and mental illness, as well as those who care for them.”
“We offer an easy-to-access learning experience that is engaging and informative,” said Jen Housel, Executive Director of the CMHM. “Our Learning Center will give volunteers, ministry coordinators, and clergy the skills and confidence to start and grow a mental health ministry in a parish or diocese.”
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Courses offered are:
- What is Catholic Mental Health Ministry? – A short series of films and resources that explore the essence of Mental Health Ministry and how it differs from conventional secular mental health support and clinical care and emphasizes the reasons for this ministry’s importance in our faith communities.
- Introduction to Catholic Mental Health Ministry - Delve into the core principles and practices that define effective mental health ministry and learn practical guidelines for successfully implementing mental health ministry in a parish or diocese.
- When a Loved One Dies by Suicide - This course is based on the book "When A Loved One Dies By Suicide: Comfort, Hope, and Healing for Grieving Catholics" and brings to life the moving stories of Catholics who have navigated the challenging path of suicide loss.
- Accompanying Those Who Mourn - Training for parish or Catholic community leaders to start or further develop a bereavement ministry (coming soon).
Shoener, a founder of CMHM, knows there is a real need for mental health ministry in the Church. His daughter Katie died by suicide in 2016 after a long battle with bipolar disorder, and in her obituary, he took an honest and open look at the stigma surrounding mental illness. The obituary went viral, displaying a sore need for mental health support within the Catholic Church. In response, Shoener helped found the CMHM and now works tirelessly to minister to others dealing with mental health crises in their own families.
For more information and a complete press kit, visit https://www.catholicmhm.org/media
To request an interview with Deacon Ed Shoener or Jen Housel,
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