|
Christ Calls Us to Attend to
Those Who Suffer from Mental Illness
A mental illness is a disease that causes mild to severe disturbances in thought and/or behavior, resulting in an inability to cope with life’s ordinary demands and routines. One in four families will, at some time, cope with mental illness and its effects on a loved one and the family unit.
Because of the stigma attached to mental illness, many people who suffer from mental illness do not feel welcome in church and may stop coming.
As this is an issue of such great importance, the California Bishops created a pastoral letter on caring for those who suffer from mental illness. This letter is addressed to all Catholics and people of goodwill: https://lifejusticeandpeace.lacatholics.org/documents/2022/4/Hope-and-Healing_English.pdf
Did you know that the Archdiocese of Los Angeles has a mental health ministry? The Archdiocese wants to help parishes learn about mental illness.
Parishes can start a Mental Health Ministry to provide hope, healing, support, and compassion to those who suffer from or are touched by mental illness in the parish community.
The website, https://lifejusticeandpeace.lacatholics.org/mental-health, has tools and resources available to help parishes start a Mental Health Ministry.
Parish Mental Health Ministry leaders do not take on the roles of health professionals; 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 our parish, please e-mail Jeanette Seneviratne at jseneviratne@la-archdiocese.org.
Consider taking part in a 10-week class on “Mental Health and Church Life”: The Archdiocese is offering a special opportunity to learn about how we, as a Church, can strengthen a culture of hope and belonging to support all people, especially those living with mental illness and their loved ones. Dates are Sept. 30-Dec. 6, 2024, with an opening retreat on Sept. 21.
The course consists of video lectures that can be viewed anytime, and weekly small-group online discussion meetings facilitated by ministers from the Archdiocese. Registration for this course is on the Office of Life, Justice and Peace website: https://lifejusticeandpeace.lacatholics.org/mental-health. For questions, please e-mail jseneviratne@la-archdiocese.org.
The Office of Life, Justice and Peace Mental Health website also has resources for families struggling with the challenge of mental illness.
Here are some of the resources for families seeking help with mental illness:
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: https://dmh.lacounty.gov/
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: https://namica.org/find-your-local-nami/
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 6:00-10:00 pm PST at (800) 852-8336 or text TEEN to 839863 (6:00-9:00 pm PST).
Finding a Catholic Mental Health Professional
• The Archdiocese of Los Angeles Office of Marriage and Family Life has a directory of Archdiocesan Catholic/Christian Therapists. To receive referrals, please contact Annette Vichot, Ex at (213) 637-7228 or avichot@la-archdiocese.org
• CatholicPsych has wonderful online assistance. Complete a contact form to be connected with a therapist within 24 hours: https://catholicpsych.com/
“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
St. Dymphna, patroness of those who suffer
from mental affliction, pray for us!
~St. Luke Life, Justice and Peace Ministry
| 
