PHOENIX — The diocese marked the first year of an unprecedented outreach to people and those around them struggling with mental illness, seeing great progress in expanding this historic initiative.
In what has become the signature program of Bishop John P. Dolan’s young episcopate, the Diocese of Phoenix has expanded its Office of Mental Health Ministry from a single physical location and web resource to 15 offices across parish level. A total of 138 people – including priests, nuns and lay people – were trained in Mental Health First Aid, a course that equips graduates to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illness and related disorders to substance use.
The historic initiative received significant national and international media coverage, including interviews with Bishop Dolan in America Magazine, Catholic News Service, EWTN, Our Sunday Visitor and St. Anthony Messenger. Additionally, Bishop Dolan spoke on the subject at the USCCB Plenary Assembly in Baltimore.
There has also been extensive outreach through a variety of platforms to a range of Catholic organizations and agencies, raising awareness of mental health awareness, as well as a broad effort to establish partnerships with groups – Catholic and non-Catholic – that have resources and influence. advocate for better public policy on mental health from a Catholic perspective. These include Catholic Mental Health Professionals, Association of Catholic Mental Health Ministers, St. Vincent de Paul, Creighton University and the Arizona Trauma Informed Faith Coalition. A weekly Mental Health Minute has been launched on diocesan social media platforms to raise awareness and offer practical advice on a variety of mental health topics.
Finally, the diocese supported its patients, families and friends through masses, novenas, prayers and the establishment of support groups. These include the annual Mass of Remembrance for those who have died by suicide, the new annual Green Mass to thank and pray for mental health professionals, a traveling rosary and a novena to St. Dymphna, the patron saint of people suffering from mental illness.
THREE PILLARS
In Bishop Dolan’s vision, this is just the beginning.
“We (are) doing it slowly but surely,” said Bishop Dolan speaking immediately after the diocese’s 2nd annual Memorial Mass on September 10.
“We cannot do this alone,” Maricela Campa, program manager of the Office of the Ministry of Mental Health, reiterated during the inauguration of the office in December 2022.
The multitude of steps reflects a three-pronged approach first outlined by the bishop in September 2022, just a month after his installation. This includes education, support for people who are suffering and their families and other people close to them, and advocacy for more effective mental health policy.
Two of the key milestones occurred with the opening of the new Office of Mental Health Ministry headquarters at the Diocesan Pastoral Center in downtown Phoenix in December 2022 and, most recently, the bishop’s appointment of 15 parish representatives on November 9.
The latter event took place at the Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust headquarters in downtown Phoenix. The Trust’s financial gift launched the creation of the diocesan office and its facility, The Well.
Punctuated with a 36-inch-tall circular structure made of stone blocks filled with 50 pounds of fireglass to resemble water, and a painting of the woman at the well from the Gospel of St. John (4:1-26), the well provides a physical setting of comfort and peace for visitors.
Many have already found comfort in the midst of despair.
Monica Charnell, who lost her 31-year-old son in 2022, called it a big support.
“It was difficult to find people who would listen to me and support me in my grief,” she said. “I rely entirely on my faith. I am very grateful that Bishop Dolan has made this available to those of us who are experiencing intense grief.
Mary Louisoder lost her mother a year ago “very tragically and unexpectedly” and needed someone to support her. “I started looking for people who could understand me in my grief, focusing on my faith. I think focusing on our faith and walking the journey of grief (and) learning that you are not alone is one of the most important parts of healing,” she said. “The Well has been a place of refreshing peace, hope, love and joy – knowing that as a Christian and Catholic family, we are in this together,” Louisoder continued.
Robert Salas also found comfort during a “difficult time” in his life.
A local Catholic and member of the Knights of Columbus, Salas said, “Our Lord is still here. We are never alone. (Program Manager of the Office of the Ministry of Mental Health) Maricela (Campa) was there to show me this (truth) when I needed it. Don’t give up,” he added.
IN THE IMAGE OF GOD
Bishop Dolan’s own well-documented story of losing three siblings and a brother-in-law to suicide over the years has been influential in the ministry.
Pope Saint John Paul II addressed the need for Catholic mental health awareness at the 11th International Conference of the Pontifical Council for Pastoral Assistance to Health Care Workers in November 1996. The Pope reminded the gathering that those who suffer from mental illness bear the image of God. and resemblance, “as every human being does.” “Christ took upon himself all human suffering, even mental illness,” John Paul II said. The Association of Catholic Ministers of Mental Health (CMHM), a national secular association, said that while a number of dioceses across the United States are seeking to establish similar programs, the Diocese of Phoenix is at the forefront.
Last October, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) launched a national Catholic mental health campaign to address the significant mental health crisis across the United States, which has been particularly amplified in recent years. recent years with the impact of the global pandemic. The goal of the campaign is to raise awareness, eliminate the stigma surrounding mental illness and mental health issues, and advocate for those who are struggling to receive help.
A “FIRST AID KIT” FOR MENTAL HEALTH
Mental health remains a problem in the United States today.
In August, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control announced that the nation’s suicide rate continues to rise in most demographic areas. Using information from death certificates and first responder records, the CDC estimated that 49,449 people committed suicide in 2022, compared to 48,183 in 2021. “Nine in 10 Americans believe America is facing a crisis mental health,” said U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier. Becerra.
In the coming year, the Diocese of Phoenix will expand its efforts.
The Office of the Ministry of Mental Health will add more parishes to its outreach, while those already participating will create their own version of The Well. The office also plans to train more people in mental health first aid, as well as add instructors. The training provides the skills needed “to reach out and provide initial help and support to an individual who may be developing a mental health or substance abuse problem or experiencing a crisis,” according to the National Council on Mental Well-Being.
Neither an Equipped Trainee nor the Diocese intends that outreach be diagnostic in nature or provide treatment or therapy.
If God speaks to your heart about this ministry, or if you have a heart for people with mental health issues, please contact your local parish or the Office of Mental Health Ministry at 602-354-2401 or by email : mcampa@dphx.org.
