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Parish Mental Health Ministries in the Archdiocese of Johannesburg - South Africa
All Saints and Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Parishes in the Archdiocese of Johannesburg - South Africa are glad to announce that, through the support of the Catholic Health Care Association of Southern Africa (CATHCA), they have opened their doors for Parish Mental Health Ministry in January 2022. They form part of the South African Chapter of the Catholic Mental Health Ministers.
CATHCA’S Skills Development Coordinator: Melese Tumato Shula
+27 83 586 8607
[email protected]
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A Statement from the Director of CATHCA
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In 2019, nearly a billion people – including 14% of the world’s adolescents - were living with a mental disorder. Suicide accounted for more than 1 in 100 deaths and 58% of suicides occurred before age 50. Mental disorders are the leading cause of disability, causing one in six years lived with disability. People with severe mental health conditions die on average 10 to 20 years earlier than the general population, mostly due to preventable physical diseases. Childhood sexual abuse and bullying victimization are major causes of depression. Social and economic inequalities, public health emergencies, war, and the climate crisis are among the global, structural threats to mental health. Common mental health problems are estimated to have increased by 3 to 7 times since the advent of the Coronavirus Pandemic. In SA it is estimated that only 10% of people with mental health conditions, who are uninsured, receive any form of care.
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All Saints Catholic Parish Church
Ennerdale-JohannesburgMental Health Ministry Coordinator: Ms Lauren Millisa Bikhani
+27 72 074 0174
[email protected]
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Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Parish Church
Emdeni-JohannesburgMental Health Ministry Coordinator: Ms Mantshiko Topsy Masooa
+27 73 519 3469
[email protected]
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The Need for Mental Health Care in our Parish
There is a definite need for Mental health care in our parish with every day stresses, depression, unemployment, substance abuse & suicidal tendencies. Our mission is to assist you with these mental health issues by listening to you to understand your concern & then assisting you with working through this or referring you to the relevant areas for additional help.
We recently had a workshop to learn about all the different types of mental health concerns & we would like our parishioners to know that our mental health ministry group offers a kind ear & safe space to listen to you & help with whatever you are going through. All that is shared or said to us is confidential & you will not be judged. Our purpose is to find you the help you need or if required - just to be a shoulder to cry on.
Examples of Mental Health Concerns include: depression, stress, anxiety, panic attacks, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Schizophrenia, Bipolar Disorder & more prevalent in kids – ADHD & Conduct Disorder.
We understand that society has placed a stigma on mental health care & people are afraid to come forward but please trust that we have your best interest at heart. We are 1 of only 2 parishes where this is being piloted so the success of this program in our parish guarantees the implementation of this ministry in all other parishes in the Diocese. Changing our attitudes to mental health care issues WILL save lives.
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Latest South Africa Chapter News
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Regular access to social media forums is a factor in mental health challenges among the youth in South Africa’s Ennerdale Parish of the Catholic Archdiocese of Johannesburg, the pastoral agent for the Mental Health Ministry (MHM) has said. In an interview with ACI Africa, Chester Brown who is the MHM agent at All Saints Ennerdale Catholic Church of the Archdiocese of Johannesburg said, “Every time I meet with young people to address youth matters, social media always comes up.”Read More -
2 June 2022 Youth Month celebrationRead More -
Saturday June 25 we had a wonderful gathering with the youth of Our Lady of Mercy Parish in Emdeni where the topic was Youth and Mental Health. These were confirmation group, Alter Servers, Children of Mercy and Soldiers of Christ. A report can be read here.Read More
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South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG) - World Suicide Prevention Day
Help save a Life
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), over 700 000 people die by suicide globally each year. And for every one suicide, there are an estimated 20 suicide attempts with many more having serious thoughts of suicide. South African men are four times more likely to die by suicide than women, and the most at-risk age group in the country is adolescents.
Over the last few months, we’ve seen headlines of death by suicide of young teenagers, popular celebrities, students, fathers, sons, best friends and grandchildren. Zamo Mbele, Clinical Psychologist and SADAG Board Deputy Chairperson says, “Suicide does not discriminate, it affects all ages, races, genders and socio-economic backgrounds. Suicide is happening within our families, affecting campuses and schools, and impacting communities across the country. Even one suicide, is one too many.”
For World Suicide Prevention Day (10 September) this year, SADAG is encouraging people to have #Brave Conversations to create more safe spaces to talk about Suicide Prevention. Talking about Suicide Prevention can literally save a life and that could be your child, partner, colleague, friend or brother. Talking about suicide is prevention. There’s still a lot of stigma and fear around Suicide making people afraid if they talk about Suicide, it could “plant the seed” or cause someone to take their own life. By normalising conversations around Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, we make it more comfortable to talk about these important issues at home, around the dinner table, at work, or to friends.
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May 7, 2022 Round Table
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Integrating the Faith-Based Approach to Mental Health Care by Fr. Jean-Marie Kuzituka Did'ho
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Principles of Mental Health Ministry by Deacon Ed Shoener
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CATCH Mental Health Workshop Highlights Reel from 7th of May 2022.
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