How the Phoenix Diocese is responding to mental health illnesses
By Gladyce Janky
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, as of 2022 approximately 59.3 million adults, or 23.1% of the United States population, live with a mental illness, compared to an estimated 17.9% of the population in 2015. Bishop John P. Dolan personally understands the devastating effects of mental illness, having lost three family members to suicide.* In response to the growing mental health crisis, the Phoenix Diocese opened the Office of Mental Health Ministry (Office) in December 2022. According to its website, “As Church, we recognize that mental health is a critical component of our overall health and well-being. The Office of Mental Health Ministry seeks to accompany those with mental health needs in our parish and school communities in a Catholic, sustainable, ethical, and meaningful way.”
The Office is not a clinical resource or a substitute for treatment or counseling with a qualified professional. Instead, it focuses on creating environments where persons struggling with mental health challenges can come together to share their experiences and their Catholic faith and find a community that supports their relationship with God by focusing on three issues: education, accompaniment, and advocacy.
“Education of clergy, parish ministry, school leaders, and laity provides a current understanding of mental wellness and illness. Training, such as Mental Health First Aid and resource guides (Resources for the Well), prepares leaders to confidently extend informed, compassionate pastoral care to people in their communities who are struggling with mental health challenges or experiencing a mental health crisis.”
“Accompaniment is about creating pastoral environments where people who are experiencing mental health challenges, those caring for loved ones who are mentally ill, survivors of suicide attempts, friends or family members who have experienced loss through death by suicide, or anyone else who needs mental health support can share their experiences. The spaces will be open to individuals for Catholic faith sharing in an effort to grow spiritually and deepen their relationship with God.”
Accompaniment is also about connecting individuals to resources. The website has a wealth of data, such as the Find the Help You Need page, which has suggestions for reducing stress and anxiety, a list of things to consider when seeking a mental health professional, and an informational list of counselors and therapists. Note that the Diocese does not recommend or endorse any particular mental health professionals, but strongly encourages individuals to perform their own due diligence before selecting a provider.
“Advocacy includes partnering with coalitions and local leaders in Arizona to give voice to those experiencing a mental health illness, effect policy changes, and assure that mental health is at the forefront of discussions.”
The Office of Mental Health Ministry recognizes that each person’s faith is an essential component in navigating mental health challenges. The Office seeks to assure individuals and their loved ones that they are never alone by providing information about critical resources in our Diocese (see Sidebar). The training opportunities help ministers understand mental health first aid and include tools for building welcoming environments for those suffering from mental health challenges and anyone supporting them.
Our parish also offers a variety of opportunities for spiritual growth and mental health well-being. Examples of these are Grieving with Great Hope, Holy Spirit Prayer Group and Healing Ministry, and the Spiritual Guides Ministry. A complete list of ministries is on the website and in the St. Elizabeth Seton Bulletin.
And remember, you and your family do not need to face mental health challenges alone. Seeking and asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness.
Footnotes
*Suicide is the 11th leading cause of death (The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention).
Source of content: Primarily from the website of the Diocese of Phoenix Office of Mental Health Ministry.
