Statement
Joint Statement on NCMHC by Abp. Borys Gudziak and Bp. Robert Barron (from Oct. 2023)
National Catholic Mental Health Campaign Introductory Statement
God created human beings in his image and likeness to be life-giving, happy, and whole. In John’s Gospel, after his resurrection, our Lord tells his disciples three times “Peace be with you” (Jn. 20:19, 21, 26). Similarly, in Matthew’s Gospel, he tells them “Do not be afraid.” (Mt. 28:10). In the light of the Word of God, the foundation of our hope, the Church faces the serious mental health crisis spreading across the United States, as well as around the world.
Although mental illness is a pervasive and common aspect of human life, there is an alarming shortage of mental and behavioral health resources and providers. Furthermore, over the last decade, both before and after the COVID-19 pandemic, we have seen an alarming increase in depression and suicidal tendencies, especially among young people. Despite its ubiquity, mental illness and mental health challenges often remain associated with embarrassment, shame, or guilt, which can prevent people from seeking and receiving help.
Such a stigma contradicts the compassion of Jesus and is contrary to the foundation of Catholic Social Teaching. As pastors, we want to emphasize this point to anyone who is suffering from mental illness or facing mental health challenges: nobody and nothing can alter or diminish your God-given dignity. You are a beloved child of God, a God of healing and hope.
Saint John Paul II reminds us that “whoever suffers from mental illness ‘always’ bears God’s image and likeness in himself, as does every human being. In addition, he ‘always’ has the inalienable right not only to be considered as an image of God and therefore as a person, but also to be treated as such.” Moreover, “Christ took all human suffering on himself, even mental illness. Yes, even this affliction, which perhaps seems the most absurd and incomprehensible, conforms the sick person to Christ and gives him a share in his redeeming passion.” 1 We look especially to the Eucharist, which “gives us Jesus’ love, which transformed a tomb from an end to a beginning, and in the same way can transform our lives. It fills our hearts with the consoling love of the Holy Spirit, who never leaves us alone and always heals our wounds.”1F2 Our Lord is always with you in your pain, fragility, and suffering, and he calls the Church, His Body here on earth, to love, support, and advocate for you.
We humbly seek to follow in our Lord’s footsteps by rejecting stigma and upholding the dignity of all persons. In response to the mental health crisis—on behalf of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committees on Domestic Justice and Human Development (DJHP) and Laity, Marriage, Family Life, and Youth (LMFLY), along with the generous support of several national Catholic organizations and networks2F3—we write to announce the beginning of a National Catholic Mental Health Campaign.
We note at the outset that we, as bishops, are not mental health professionals, but rather, pastors with urgent concern for the wellbeing of our flock and for all who are suffering. We are trying humbly and sincerely to follow the call of St. Paul: “Bear one another’s burdens, and so you will fulfill the law of Christ.” (Ga 6:2). Mental illness and mental health challenges are exceedingly common, perhaps more so than many realize. Eventually, these challenges touch the lives of all. We express particular closeness to all who are suffering, either directly, or with a loved one, with special compassion for persons who have considered suicide or have lost a loved one to suicide. You are not alone! You are loved. You are welcome in the Catholic Church.
By this Campaign, we hope to raise greater awareness of this pressing issue, to help remove the sense of stigma or embarrassment for persons who suffer, and to advocate a clear message to all: everyone who needs help should get help. Jesus teaches: "For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be" (Lk 12:34). You are the treasure of the Church. The Church lives to serve you.
Mental health, like all aspects of health and wellbeing, matters to us as Catholics. In a message to health care workers who care for persons living with mental illness, Pope Francis wrote of “the Church’s and my personal esteem for the doctors and health workers involved in this sensitive field. Their commitment to meeting the conditions for those suffering from mental disorders and offering them appropriate treatment is a great good for individuals and for society. It is therefore of the utmost importance to become increasingly aware of the professional and human requirements for caring for these brothers and sisters of ours.” 4 Our Holy Father continued that he “hoped that, on the one hand, the health system for the protection of those with mental illness will be strengthened . . . and, on the other, by promoting associations and voluntary work alongside patients and their families,” the “warmth and affection of a community [will] not [be] lacking.” He emphasized the importance of “helping to fully overcome the stigma with which mental illness has often been branded[.]” 5
This National Catholic Mental Health Campaign represents a modest initial effort by the USCCB, with the support of key collaborators in ministry and advocacy, to address this enormous issue and start discussions that can lead to greater action and change. Because of the breadth of mental health concerns, no one statement or resource can address everything related to this issue. As such, the Campaign will begin with three main components: (1) a Novena, (2) virtual roundtables, and (3) advocacy for more resources so that everyone who needs help can get help.
First, the Novena has a “Pray, Learn, Act” structure, with different themes for each day. It will seek to inform and encourage both prayer and action in response to nine of the many distinct aspects of mental health.
Second, the USCCB will host virtual roundtables, first with bishops, and then with other key Catholic leaders, to discuss how mental illness touches every person’s life, to stand against any kind of stigma, and to discern proactive measures to move forward.
Third, we invite all Catholics and people of good will to advocate for bipartisan legislation and policies that address the severe lack of health care resources for prevention and treatment of mental health conditions. Together, we can work towards a more just and compassionate society.
Through these efforts, our Catholic collaborators will also be able to share the good news of the many Catholic institutions and groups that are leading the way in this area by providing help—both professionally and through pastoral accompaniment—to those in our parishes and communities. They are an inspiration to us all. More information from several of our collaborators can be found in the Novena.
Finally, we wish to raise our voices of affirmation and gratitude to everyone within our Catholic communities and all people of good will who are already offering great support, care, and concern for persons who need help. We pray for the intercession of St. Dymphna and St. John of God, the patron saints of persons experiencing mental illness, as well as St. Luke, the patron of health care, that our work will bear great fruit for such a critical inflection point in our culture today. May the Lord, the Divine Physician, give aid and comfort to all who are suffering, inspire communities to offer greater support to the sick, and grant wisdom to policymakers so that everyone who needs help can get help.
APPENDIX
Although not an exhaustive treatment of the subject, some key insights on the data related to mental health issues can give a general orientation:
Mental Illness is a Pervasive and Common Part of Human Life, but Stigma Remains
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In 2021, 22.8% of American adults, 57.8 million people, were classified as having a mental illness. This classification of “any mental illness” includes any mental, behavioral, or emotional disorder, varying in impact, ranging from no impairment to mild, moderate, or severe impairment. 6
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In 2021, 5.5% of American adults, 14.1 million people, were classified as having a severe mental illness. This classification includes any mental, behavioral, or emotional disorder that substantially interferes with or limits one or more major life activities. 7 With the right treatment, these illnesses can be managed so people can lead meaningful, productive lives. 8
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Levels of Persistent Sadness, Hopelessness, and Suicidal Tendencies Have Been Rising Among Young People
1 Saint John Paul II, International Conference for Health Care Workers, on Illnesses of the Human Mind (November 30, 1996).
https://files.ecatholic.com/31862/documents/2023/2/Mentally%20Ill%20in%20Gods%20Image_JPII_1996-
2 Pope Francis, Homily on the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (June 14, 2020). https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/homilies/2020/documents/papa-francesco_20200614_omelia- corpusdomini.html
3 Special thanks to Catholic Charities USA, Catholic Health Association, the National Catholic Partnership on Disability, the U.S. Society of St. Vincent de Paul, the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry, the National Catholic Network de Pastoral Juvenil Hispana, the National Institute for Ministry with Young Adults, and the Association of Catholic Mental Health Ministers, among other national organizations, who have been supportive during the development of this Campaign.
4 Pope Francis, Message to the Participants in the Second National Conference for Mental Health (June 14, 2021). https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/bollettino/pubblico/2021/06/25/210625b.html
5 Id.
6 National Institute for Mental Health, “Mental Illness Statistics.” https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/mental- illness
7 Id.
8 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, “Serious Mental Illness.” https://www.samhsa.gov/serious-mental-illness
9 See, e.g., Jonathan Schaefer, et al., “Enduring Mental Health: Prevalence and Prediction,” Journal of Abnormal Psychology (Feb. 2017) (examining several longitudinal studies including the Great Smoky Mountains Cohort and the Dunedin Multidisciplinary Health & Development Study). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5304549/
10 S. Clement, O. Schauman, T. Graham, F. Maggioni, S. Evans-Lacko, N. Bezborodovs, C. Morgan, N. Rüsch, J. S.
L. Brown, and G. Thornicroft, “What Is the Impact of Mental Health-Related Stigma on Help-Seeking? A Systematic Review of Quantitative and Qualitative Studies.” Psychological Medicine vol. 45, no. 1, 2015, pp. 11– 27 https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/psychological-medicine/article/what-is-the-impact-of-mental- healthrelated-stigma-on-helpseeking-a-systematic-review-of-quantitative-and-qualitative- studies/E3FD6B42EE9815C4E26A6B84ED7BD3AE
o Joint Statement on NCMHC by Abp. Borys Gudziak and Bp. Robert Barron (from Oct. 2023)