Mental Health

Hope and Healing

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.  This letter represents a statement by Catholic pastors, in consultation with those who suffer from mental illness, their families and loved ones, health care practitioners, and other caregivers.  We acknowledge and thank our collaborators—patients, families, mental health professionals, and pastoral care workers—who assisted with this statement.

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Study Guide – English

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Hope and Healing
As pastors and bishops, we are deeply concerned with the heartbreaking prevalence of mental illness in our society and are taking action to address this tragic form of misery and sorrow.  Though not as apparent and familiar as general medical problems, mental illness is equally important and is uniquely challenging and burdensome.  It strikes deep within the human soul, impacting and influencing a person’s thoughts, emotions and behaviors; thereby affecting all aspects of a person’s life—work and rest, family life and relationships, prayer and one’s relationship with God.
Mental Health and the Church Conference
A sold-out live audience of 3,200 filled the Worship Center at Saddleback Church and an estimated audience of 30,000 watched online as Bishop Kevin Vann and Saddleback Pastor Rick Warren and his wife Kay hosted the “Gathering on Mental Health and

Mental Health Resources

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

1-800-273-8255 – Website

Local/Diocesan Mental Health Resource Pages

Archdiocese of Los Angeles

Archdiocese of San Francisco

Diocese of Fresno – Catholic Charities of Fresno

Diocese of Monterey – Catholic Charities of Monterey

Diocese of Oakland

Diocese of Orange

Diocese of Sacramento

Diocese of San Bernardino

Diocese of San Diego

Diocese of San Jose – Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County

Diocese of Santa Rosa – Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Santa Rosa

Diocese of Stockton

Other Resources

A Pastoral Response to Mental Illness - National Catholic Partnership on Disability