One in four families will experience mental illness and its accompanying effects. People can and do recover from mental illness, but stigma frequently prevents families from getting the help they need. Whether you are suffering from mental illness or accompanying a family member or friend in their struggles, please review the resources below.
We believe that Our Lord enters into the lives of those living with a mental illness and walks with them at every step, accompanying them in a special way through his living body, the Church. Together, let us build a community of warmth and affection where those who are suffering “will find support and a light that opens them up to life.”
Diocesan Therapists Referral Network
The Diocesan Office for Family Life & Spirituality maintains a referral network of local therapists who are adept at integrating their clients’ Catholic faith and spirituality into their practice. Please reach out to the office (858-490-8256) or to your local parish for therapist referrals.
Diocesan Mental Health Ministry Network
Mental health ministry leaders supply prayer, accompaniment and human connections as an adjunct to standard treatment of mental illness. See below for a list of active parish mental health ministries.
NAMI San Diego/Imperial Counties Support Groups
NAMI San Diego offers support groups for those affected by serious mental illnesses, presented by trained facilitators who have “been there.” In addition, NAMI Family Support Groups are for relatives, caregivers, and others involved with individuals with mental illness. Support groups provide a caring atmosphere for individuals to share their common experiences and assist individuals in developing the skills for understanding and the strength needed to cope.
Heads Up Guys
Heads Up Guys is an online, anonymous resource intended to support men in their recovery from depression, reduce their risk of suicide, and inspire them to live healthier lives.
USD Tele-Mental Health Training Clinic
USD’s Tele-Mental Health Training Clinic is a community clinic operated by faculty members in the counseling program at the University of San Diego. Telemental Health is a face-to-face video therapy that allows clients to have appointments in real time through confidential, secure online video conferencing. Counseling services are provided by graduate-level trainees under the supervision of a clinic director, who is a California-licensed professional clinical counselor (LPCC).
Take Action for Mental Health
As part of California’s ongoing mental health movement, the Take Action for Mental Health campaign is designed to help you check in, learn more, and get support for your own mental health or the mental health of someone you care about.
Finding Help Mental Health America
There are a wide range of mental health treatments and supports that aren’t always easy to find or pay for. Mental Health America provides helpful tools for navigating the system to find the help you and your loved ones need.
Catholic Institute for Mental Health Ministry
The Catholic Institute for Mental Health Ministry (CIMHM) is located in the School of Leadership and Education Science (SOLES) at the University of San Diego. Its goal is to develop, provide and facilitate an effective and responsive network of trained mental health ministry leaders in dioceses and parishes throughout the United States. The mental health ministry leaders and teams will serve as “prayerful companions” for fellow parishioners experiencing mental illness, provide them with referrals, walk with them through the treatment process, and provide parish-wide education on the subject of mental illness.
Association of Catholic Mental Health Ministers
The ACMH supports Catholic parishes and dioceses in establishing mental health ministries. Mental health ministries provide vital spiritual accompaniment for people experiencing mental illness, as well as those who care for them.
National Alliance on Mental Illness
The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) is the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness. Today, NAMI is an association of hundreds of local affiliates, state organizations and volunteers who work in communities to raise awareness and provide support and education that was not previously available to those in need.
Hope and Healing
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
Mental Health: A Guide for Faith Leaders
This guide from the American Psychiatric Association provides information to help faith leaders work with members of their congregations and their families who are facing mental health challenges.
Mental Health America
Mental Health America is committed to promoting mental health as a critical part of overall wellness, including prevention services for all; early identification and intervention for those at risk; integrated care, services, and supports for those who need them; with recovery as the goal.
Mental Health Ministries
This San Diego-based non-profit organization provides a wide variety of print and media resources that can be downloaded and adapted to the unique needs to each congregation. The focus is on using one’s faith and spirituality as an important part of the recovery and treatment process.
Mental Health First Aid
Mental Health First Aid is a skills-based training course that teaches participants about mental health and substance-use issues. The training gives you the skills you need to reach out and provide initial help and support to someone who may be developing a mental health or substance abuse problem or experiencing a crisis.
Faith-Based Mental Health Academy
San Diego County’s Interfaith Community Services provides a County sponsored training on faith and mental health for faith leaders and mental health professionals. Learn what mental illness is, how to support those who are suffering, where they can receive treatment and how faith communities can become part of their recovery.
Catholic Mental Health Ministry: Guidelines for Implementation
This manual provides the rationale and the guidelines for implementing a parish-based mental health ministry. Prepared by USD’s Catholic Institute for Mental Health Ministry.
Sanctuary Mental Health Ministries
Sanctuary Mental Health Ministries equips the Church to support mental health and wellbeing, providing resources that meaningfully engage the topics of faith and mental health. The Sanctuary Course for Catholics is an eight-session course that explores the realities of mental health and illness and features the stories of Catholics living with mental health challenges.
| Parish | City | email address for mental health ministry | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mission San Luis Rey | Oceanside | mentalhealthministry@sanluisreyparish.org | 760-757-3250 |
| St. Thomas More | Oceanside | MHMN@stmoside.org | 760-758-4100 |
| St. Elizabeth Seton | Carlsbad | stdymphnaministry@gmail.com | 760-438-3393 |
| St. Michael's Poway | Poway | mentalhealth@smpoway.org | 858-487-4755 |
| Our Lady of Mt. Carmel | Rancho Peñasquitos | olmcmentalhealth@gmail.com | 858-484-1070 |
| St. Gregory the Great | Scripps Ranch | mentalhealthministry@gmail.com | 858-653-3540 |
| St. Brigid | Pacific Beach | mhm@saintbrigidparish.org | 858-483-3030 |
| St. Didacus | Normal Heights | saintdidacusmhm@gmail.com | 619-940-6193 |
| St. Patrick’s | Carlsbad | stpatsmhm@gmail.com | 760-729-2866 x393 |
| Nativity | Rancho Santa Fe | NatMHMinistry@gmail.com | 858-367-0049 |
| St. Charles Borromeo | Point Loma | i2WE@saintcharlespl.com | 619-225-8157 |
| St. James - St. Leo | Solana Beach | 858-755-2545 |
|
| San Rafael | Rancho Bernardo | 858-487-4314 |
sdcatholic.org“All the people who’ve lately been praying more may be onto something, said Elizabeth Bernstein in The Wall Street Journal. Scientific studies of prayer are limited, but available research suggests that prayer provides similar benefits to meditation’s: “It can calm your nervous system, shutting down your fight-or-flight response. It can make you less reactive to negative emotions and less angry.” A person has to want to pray, and not out of anger, but prayer may even have a slight edge over meditation: One 2005 study found that people who pray 20 minutes a day experienced greater reductions in anxiety and stress, a result some researchers attribute to their feeling a sense of emotional support, of connection to community and a higher power. Maybe people know that already: In March, around the world, the number of Google searches for prayer skyrocketed.” (5/29/20 edition of The Week)
The organizers for Million Meals need to raise $375,000 by June 10, to pay for the ingredients of 1.5 million meals. Please consider making a donation. No amount is too small, just $25 buys 100 meals.
