By Natalie Rivera • Posted October 7, 2024

Often, in my interactions with people, particularly people within a parish, I am told, “We do not have anyone with disabilities here.” I smile and politely tell them that they do, it just may not be visible to them.

When people think about disabilities they generally focus on physical disabilities, the ones that they can see – a person using a wheelchair or other mobility aid or device. Most often, however, disabilities are invisible. You cannot tell that the person has a disability simply by looking at them.

This statement holds true for learning disabilities, chronic illness, and mental illness, which is increasingly on the rise in our country. Yet even today it is typically not talked about in our churches.

According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, one in five adults in the United States and one in six youth (ages 6-17) experience mental illness each year. Half of all lifetime mental illness begins by age 14. Suicide is the second leading cause of death in children ages 10-14.

These numbers are staggering. While it often seems like mental illness is something new, the truth is it has always been around. Many beloved saints throughout history endured mental illness including St. Teresa of Avila, who experienced what would be diagnosed today as depression. St. Therese of Lisieux is said to have experienced a mental health crisis as a child and exhibited signs of anxiety and depression. St. Oscar Romero  was diagnosed with obsessive-compulsive disorder.

St. John of God was hospitalized for a mental health crisis, and the father of St. Dymphna, patroness of those with mental illness, experienced a mental health crisis after losing his wife. His mental illness led to the martyrdom of St. Dymphna.

Whether we realize it or not, individuals with mental illness are already in our pews. We all likely know many people who are impacted by mental illness, whether they have been diagnosed themselves or are caring for a loved one who has been diagnosed with a mental illness.

These individuals, our brothers and sisters in Christ, have a right to be loved, cared for and listened to because of the inherent dignity granted to each of us by God at the moment of conception.

This October, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops is renewing its National Catholic Mental Health Campaign. The NCMHC is a year-round initiative of the USCCB in response to the ongoing mental health crisis across the United States. Each year the U.S. bishops promote a concerted effort beginning on World Mental Health Day (October 10) and continuing to the feast of Saint Luke, patron of physicians (October 18).

The NCMHC is an opportunity to begin the conversation, pray the annual novena and share the National Catholic Mental Health Campaign Suggestions for Parish Engagement with one’s pastor and parish leaders. The campaign includes parish announcements and opportunities for liturgical prayer among the faithful of the parish.

The USCCB recommends that each parish promote the annual novena for mental health within their community. The novena runs from October 10, World Mental Health Day, to October 18, the feast of Saint Luke, patron of health care, although it can be prayed at any time. The daily texts for the novena can be found online at www.usccb.org/mentalhealth, and it is also available in Spanish. Para la novena por la salud mental en español, haga clic aquí.

The message of the campaign is simple: Everyone who needs help should receive help.

Dioceses and parishes are encouraged to use the campaign as an opportunity to promote local mental health programs. It is also a platform to launch a mental health ministry at the diocesan or parish level, something the Archdiocese of Philadelphia is developing.

We are not defined by our diagnoses, disabilities, or challenges. We are children of God first. In caring for those with mental illness, we must understand that having a mental illness is not displeasing to God. Our emotions are not sinful.

While it is important to pray for those experiencing a mental health challenge, we must also recognize that some situations will rightly require professional support. We must not underestimate our Lord’s ability to bring profound healing through interventions such as counseling or medication.

The fundamental teachings of our Catholic faith tell us that we are made in God’s image and likeness, and because of that we have immeasurable worth and dignity. Therefore, we should all be treated in a way that echoes that truth.

The good news is that you do not need to know someone’s diagnosis to honor their dignity or provide support. By simply beginning the conversation around mental health and seeking out those around you who may be experiencing a mental health challenge, you become the vessel of the divine physician and healer. You may not have all the answers, but the simple act of being willing to accompany someone is enough to let them know they are not alone.

Healing is possible when we each heed the call to love our neighbor.

***

Resources:

If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, call 911 or 988, the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, which is available 24/7 in the U.S. and its territories by phone, chat and text, with assistance also provided in ASL (American Sign Language). The website address for the 988 Lifeline is https://988lifeline.org.

Línea de Prevención del Suicidio y Crisis, llame or envíe un texto a 988 (español o ingles). En caso de emergencia, llame 911. Línea de Prevención del Suicidio y Crisis, servicios en español: 1-888-628-9454.

If you’re interested in learning about how to recognize when someone is experiencing a mental health challenge or to start a mental health ministry in your parish, visit the Association for Catholic Mental Health Ministers website at www.catholicmhm.org.

To learn about local Catholic mental health support and initiatives in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, visit the website Be Encouraged at https://archphila.org/support/, where you can sign up to receive updates and donate to mental health initiatives.

***

Natalie Rivera is director of the Office for Persons with Disabilities for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. She also serves at the parish level as a minister with youth and young adults.