1. Seek permission from your bishop. Having his support will be of great importance as you develop and grow this ministry. His support is a sign to the diocesan community that this is a good and important ministry.
2. Designate a diocesan staff mental health ministry leader and consider creating a diocesan ministry team. Creating a core team of 3 - 4 persons will help your diocese to respond best to the needs of your community.
3. Complete the CMHM assessment to determine what you will need, where you should focus your time, as well as what your gifts to this ministry will be.
4. Diocesan leaders should expand thier own knowledge of this ministry and mental health. This can be done by completing the the Introduction to Catholic Mental Health Ministry course and other courses on our CMHM Learning Center (free for CMHM Members), taking Mental Health First Aid, completing QPR, and other related educational opportunities. Our Formation and Training page has additional information. In addition, your Diocese may also require background checks and training for anyone involved in ministry. For example, a training program called VIRTUS is required in some Dioceses. The VIRTUS module, Vulnerable Adult Training™ may be particularly helpful.  Please check with your diocese for specific requirements.
5. Develop an annual ministry plan and ministry budget that will be your guide for events and programs over the year. A copy of this plan should be provided to your bishop so that he is aware of the plan.
6. Participate in the Board of Chapters as a member of CMHM. This will become your networking community to learn from, brainstorm with, and share information about your ministry with other mental health ministers.

How best to offer a mental health ministry in your diocese requires thoughtful conversations about mental health, faith and what the needs are in your community.  These two programs are excellent ways to start the conversation and discern where the Lord is leading your diocese.  The programs can be accessed by diocesan mental health ministry staff, clergy groups, deanery mental health ministry teams, and parish lay leadership teams.

Sanctuary for Catholics
How can a church community become a sanctuary—a place where individuals living with mental health challenges feel safe, supported, and a sense of belonging? The Sanctuary Course for Catholics was created to inspire and equip communities of faith that are asking this important question. Developed in consultation with mental health professionals, theologians, and people with lived experience, this eight-session study guide explores key mental health topics and examines meaningful ways to offer companionship, support recovery, and promote wellbeing.  To view the Sanctuary for Catholic program click here.

Mental Illness with Grace - 5 part series
The series will create mental illness awareness in a diocese/within a deanery through a series of presentations on mental health issues. The outcome of the initial 5 meetings on mental illness would be to form a diocesan mental health team, deanery level teams, or parish level teams that would consider how best to minister and accompany people and families dealing with mental illness.  To learn more about the Mental Illness with Grace - 5 part series created in the Archdiocese of Chicago click here.