Mental Health Ministry

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.

Upcoming Events

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.”

Help & Healing:

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.

Ministry Resources:

Parish Mental Health Ministries

ParishCityemail address for mental health ministryPhone
Good ShepherdMira Mesamentalhealthministry@goodshepherdparish.net858-271-0207 x1275
Mission San Luis Rey
Oceanside
mentalhealthministry@sanluisreyparish.org760-757-3250
NativityRancho Santa FeNatMHMinistry@gmail.com858-367-0049
Our Lady of Mt. CarmelRancho Peñasquitosolmcmentalhealth@gmail.com 858-484-1070
San RafaelRancho Bernardo
858-487-4314
St. BrigidPacific Beachmhm@saintbrigidparish.org 858-483-3030
St. Charles Borromeo
Point Loma
i2WE@saintcharlespl.com619-225-8157
St. DidacusNormal Heightssaintdidacusmhm@gmail.com619-940-6193
St. Elizabeth SetonCarlsbadstdymphnaministry@gmail.com760-438-3393
St. Gregory the GreatScripps Ranchmentalhealthministry@gmail.com858-653-3540
St. James - St. Leo
Solana Beach
858-755-2545
St. John'sEncinitas760-753-6254
St. Mary Star of the SeaOceansideKairos2015mh@gmail.com760-722-1688
St. Michael's PowayPowaymentalhealth@smpoway.org 858-487-4755
St. Patrick’sCarlsbad stpatrickcbadmhm@gmail.com760-729-2866 x393
St. Thomas MoreOceansideMHMN@stmoside.org760-758-4100
The ImmaculataSan Diegotheimmaculata@sandiego.edu619-574-5700

Contacts

Instagram
Wendy Baez
Associate Director
Phone: (858) 490-8295
wbaezEmail at symbolsdcatholic.org
Janelle Peregoy
Associate Director, Separated and Divorced Ministry
Phone: (858) 490-8292
jperegoyEmail at symbolsdcatholic.org
Vivian Toscano
Administrative Assistant
Phone: (858) 490-8299
vtoscanoEmail at symbolsdcatholic.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)

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