Pope Leo XIV has dedicated his October prayer intention to mental health ministry, calling on the Church to listen without judging and accompany those who suffer without excluding them.
Mental Health
The ever-increasing presence of artificial intelligence, with AI in every sphere of daily life, is generating a mental health crisis that threatens adults and children alike, according to Father Charles Sikorsky, president of Divine Mercy University, a private Catholic graduate school of psychology and counseling in Sterling, Virginia.
Nicole Kristensen still remembers facing difficult births and struggling with postpartum as a mom. Today, she draws from her experience to help other women before, during, and after they give birth.
Bishop John P. Dolan of Phoenix still remembers when clergy and, in particular, a religious sister walked with him after his brother died by suicide.
Pope Leo XIV has asked Catholics to join him in praying for those who struggle with suicidal thoughts and for all people “who live in darkness and despair.”
From crisis response canines to parish mental health ministries, the faithful are seeking ways to bring healing to the survivors of the deadly Aug. 27 mass shooting at a Minneapolis Catholic school liturgy.
After losing her brother to suicide in 2018, Victoria Rios channeled her grief into action, becoming an instructor for the Diocese of Dallas’ Mental Health First Aid program and creating an art-based foundation to help fund tuition costs for future program participants.
“The Church has always been in spaces with people in extremely fragile situations, always,” said Sister Idília Carneiro, the new superior general of the Sisters Hospitallers; and as global rates of mental illness continue to rise, she insisted that Catholics have an obligation to expand their ministries in addressing the crisis.