The National Catholic Mental Health Campaign is a year-round initiative of the USCCB in response 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)
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 Novena in solidarity with Catholics across the country from October 10 to October 18 each year, beginning on World Mental Health Day and concluding on the feast of Saint Luke the Physician, the patron of health care.
Mental Health Sunday
The USCCB encourages parishes to consider highlighting mental health year-round, and especially through one or more liturgies on the weekend following World Mental Health Day (and during the course of the annual nationwide Novena from October 10-18). For this year, this would take place around October 13, 2024, the twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time.
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.
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