Mental Health Sunday

October 12, 2025 | Twenty-Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time.

Healing and Hope in Local Catholic Communities

Each year, on the Sunday following World Mental Health Day, Catholics are invited to pause and reflect on healing and hope around mental health in their local parish community. This can be an opportunity to galvanize support and spiritual care for those struggling with emotional, cognitive, and behavioral health issues.

As part of the USCCB National Catholic Mental Health Campaign, "Mental Health Sunday" is a way that Catholics in their local parish communities can engage this important issue that impacts millions of people worldwide. From depression and loneliness to behavioral and developmental disabilities, mental health is part of so many families and friendships. 

Parishes can engage in Mental Health Sunday in a variety of ways:

  • Take a moment to pray for those struggling with mental health in the local area
  • During Masses, share about the national campaign and its call for healing and hope
  • Integrate petitions around mental health issues into the Prayer of the Faithful
  • Offer a special blessing for caretakers and those in mental health care work
  • In the narthex/vestibule, feature resources for mental and spiritual wellness
  • Encourage participation in the USCCB's national novena for mental health
  • Consider launching or promoting an existing Catholic mental health initiative

Whatever is done, use this moment as a chance to connect with the universal Church's engagement in this important issue. 

 

Mental Health Sunday Planning Resources

The USCCB encourages every Catholic parish to engage the National Campaign on Mental Health Sunday on the weekend following World Mental Health Day, during the annual nationwide Mental Health Novena from Oct. 10 to 18). For 2025, this takes place October 12, on the Twenty-Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time. The USCCB has prepared the following resource for local community leaders:

Planning Resource Available Here