Now is the time to act!
This October, the Catholic Church in the United States is renewing its National Catholic Mental Health Campaign (NCMHC), encouraging all people to become more aware of the issues, eliminate the stigmas around mental illness, and seek creative ways to journey with those who struggle. This can be done now through personal and community accompaniment and by advocating for effective and compassionate public policy around mental health and wellness. As Pope Francis says, "Caring for others is not just a skilled job but a real mission." Now is the time to step into this mission.
Start with the Nationwide Novena. Celebrate Mental Health Sunday. Be ready to act with love.
The National Catholic Mental Health Campaign is a year-round initiative of the USCCB to encourage all people of good will to respond to the ongoing mental health crisis across the United States.
Mental Health Introductory PSA
Introductory PSA on NCMHC by Abp. Borys Gudziak (from Oct. 2023)
Nationwide Novena for Mental Health
The Novena for Mental Health is an opportunity for all the People of God to join together in prayer for women and men experiencing or impacted by mental health issues and for all those who accompany them. The Novena can be prayed at any time of year.
The entire Church in the United States is especially encouraged to pray this Nationwide Novena in solidarity with Catholics across the country from October 10 to October 18 each year, beginning on World Mental Health Day (Oct 10) and concluding on the feast of Saint Luke the Physician (Oct 18), the patron of health care. This nine-day prayer experience was developed in collaboration with the National Catholic Mental Health Coalition, a network of leaders representing organizations advising the USCCB and engaging in active work around mental health in Catholic communities nationwide.
Sign up for daily emails during the mental health novena
Mental Health Sunday 2024
The USCCB encourages every Catholic parish to consider highlighting mental health year-round. It is especially fitting to do this during one or more liturgies on the weekend following World Mental Health Day (during the course of the annual nationwide Mental Health Novena from October 10 to 18). For 2024, this could take place on October 12-13, around the twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time.
Special Roundtable Discussions on Mental Health
The USCCB has sought to explore and unpack several issues within the vast dimensions of mental health care through recorded roundtable conversations between bishops, experts, and ministry leaders. Thus far, roundtables have been held around young people and clergy mental health.
Advancing Public Policy on Mental and Behavioral Health
Letters and Statements
Letter to Congress on Maternal Health
Archbishop Borys Gudziak, Bishop Robert E. Barron and Bishop Michael F. Burbidge, May 8, 2024
Statement on the National Catholic Mental Health Campaign
Archbishop Borys Gudziak and Bishop Robert Barron, November 15, 2023
Read more about USCCB efforts to advocate for policies that expand resources for mental health
Background information
Launch of National Catholic Mental Health Campaign and Novena
Archbishop Borys Gudziak and Bishop Robert Barron, October 10, 2023
Pastoral Response to Persons with Mental Illness
National Catholic Partnership on Disability
A Future with Hope with Bishop James D Conley
Bishop James D. Conley of Lincoln, Nebraska, May 2024
Association of Catholic Mental Health Ministers
To support the development of local ministries and support groups, the Association of Catholic Mental Health Ministers is available for more information and resources. This Association is coordinated by a team of lay, ordained, and consecrated ministry leaders, with the support of Bishop John Dolan of Phoenix (episcopal liaison and chaplain).
https://catholicmhm.org/
The Pope's Worldwide Prayer Network
Praying for mental health is a worldwide endeavor. The Pope's Worldwide Prayer Network is a Vatican pontifical society with a global mission of mobilizing all Catholics toward prayer and action to the challenges facing humanity and the mission of the Church. Many of the monthly prayer intentions of this Network revolve around issues important to mental health and wellness.
Pray for mental health at this particular link on the website.
https://www.popesprayer.va/