“Mental Health Ministry is essential to integral human development and a universal human right.”

—Cardinal Michael Czerny, S.J. Prefect, Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development

Many local Churches from around the world have identified poor mental health as a major problem in their communities. Promoting mental health is a priority. Churches and religious communities have begun programs to gain access to adequate mental health care. They engage in advocacy in civic life to improve social services, as well as to overcome stigma and to combat the social exclusion unjustly experienced by those with mental health challenges.

The Church’s work in addressing mental health concerns includes making more accessible adequate mental health care and increasing mental health ministry. However, there is more work to do.

The Church ought to be a catalyst for connecting individuals with medical professionals and the treatment they can provide while its members accompany those experiencing mental health challenges. Enter The Association of Catholic Mental Health Ministers.

While they do not directly provide medical, clinical, or crisis services, they are invaluable for connecting Catholics to much-needed resources.

If you are seeking recommendations for a Catholic therapist, you may consider contacting the following: 

• Your Local Catholic Charities/Catholic Social Services Office
• Catholic Therapists (www.catholictherapists.com/home)
• Catholic Counselors (catholiccounselors.com/)
• Catholic Psychotherapy Association (cpa.ce21.com/directory)
• Divine Mercy University, mental health professional graduates (divinemercy.edu/alumni/directory)