Msgr. John Talesfore reports on the Mental Health Ministry pilot programs at St. Matthew’s in San Mateo and Our Lady of Angels in Burlingame. May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and these programs, he says, provide meaningful outreach. “It can be so simple amid stress and fear”:

ARTICLE:   PARISH MINISTRY: TRAINED VOLUNTEERS WHO LISTEN AND CARE

The coronavirus and the global spread of COVID-19 disease have had an unprecedented effect on all our lives, and the stress and anxiety can take a toll on health both physical and mental:

ARTICLE: “HOW PRAYER CAN HELP DEFEAT ANXIETY”

“When mental illness crept into my life, I slowly stopped turning to the saints for help….”  There are patron saints for many needs. Whom can we call on for spiritual support with this?

ARTICLE: “MENTAL ILLNESS: FIVE PATRON SAINTS TO INVOKE

All Souls, South San Francisco
Church of the Epiphany, San Francisco
Mission Dolores Basilica, San Francisco
Our Lady of Angels, Burlingame
Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Redwood City
St. Anselm, San Anselmo
St. Bruno, San Bruno
St. Hilary, Tiburon
St. Matthew, San Mateo
St. Raphael, San Rafael
St. Raymond, Menlo Park
St. Veronia, South San Francisco

MORE INFORMATION:

Mental Health Ministry Brochure
Volante sobre Ministerio de Salud Mental

Catholics Must Do More to Accompany People with Mental Illness – A U.S. Catholic magazine interview (March 2019)

12 Ways Parishes Can Support People with Mental Illness” – A U.S. Catholic magazine editorial (March 2019

A PASTORAL LETTER FROM THE BISHOPS OF CALIFORNIA ON CARING FOR THOSE WHO SUFFER FROM MENTAL ILLNESS ADDRESSED TO ALL CATHOLICS AND PEOPLE OF GOODWILL

“As pastors and bishops, we understand that mental health is a critical component of wellbeing. Therefore, ministering to those who suffer from mental illness is an essential part of the pastoral care of the Church….”

Read here the California Catholic Bishops’ groundbreaking pastoral letter, released on May 2, 2018:

Hope and Healing  (English PDF)
Hope and Healing (Spanish PDF)
Hope and Healing  (Vietnamese PDF)

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“I believe this document is a unique contribution toward overcoming unjust stigma around mental health. It’s the first document from American bishops, that I am aware of, that addresses this issue directly.” Dr. Aaron Kheriarty, associate professor of Psychiatry at UC Irvine School of Medicine, is director of the Medical Ethics Program at UC Irvine Health, and author of The Catholic Guide to Depression: How the Saints, Sacraments, and Psychiatry Can Help You Break Its Grip and Find Happiness Again. Read his response to the California Catholic bishops’ pastoral letter in this exclusive interview with Valerie Schmalz, director of the Archdiocesan Office of Human Life and Dignity.

Read Full Interview

[from the National Institute for Mental Health]

The behaviors listed below may be signs that someone is thinking about suicide:

• Talking about wanting to die or wanting to kill themselves
• Talking about feeling empty, hopeless, or having no reason to live
• Making a plan or looking for a way to kill themselves, such as searching online, stockpiling pills, or buying a gun
• Talking about great guilt or shame
• Talking about feeling trapped or feeling that there are no solutions
• Feeling unbearable pain (emotional pain or physical pain)
• Talking about being a burden to others
• Using alcohol or drugs more often
• Acting anxious or agitated
• Withdrawing from family and friends
• Changing eating and/or sleeping habits
• Showing rage or talking about seeking revenge
• Taking great risks that could lead to death, such as driving extremely fast
• Talking or thinking about death often
• Displaying extreme mood swings, suddenly changing from very sad to very calm or happy
• Giving away important possessions
• Saying goodbye to friends and family
• Putting affairs in order, making a will.

If these warning signs apply to you or someone you know, get help as soon as possible, particularly if the behavior is new or has increased recently. One resource is the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, 1-800-273-TALK (8255). The Lifeline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The deaf and hard of hearing can contact the Lifeline via TTY at 1-800-799-4889.

[from the National Institute for Mental Health]

Suicide does not discriminate. People of all genders, ages, and ethnicities can be at risk. Suicidal behavior is complex and there is no single cause. In fact, many different factors contribute to someone making a suicide attempt. But people most at risk tend to share certain characteristics. The main risk factors for suicide are:

• Depression, other mental disorders, or substance abuse disorder
• Certain medical conditions
• Chronic pain
• A prior suicide attempt
• Family history of a mental disorder or substance abuse
• Family history of suicide
• Family violence, including physical or sexual abuse
• Having guns or other firearms in the home
• Having recently been released from prison or jail
• Being exposed to others’ suicidal behavior, such as that of family members, peers, or celebrities.

Many people have some of these risk factors but do not attempt suicide. It is important to note that suicide is not a normal response to stress. Suicidal thoughts or actions are a sign of extreme distress, not a harmless bid for attention, and should not be ignored.