WASHINGTON – There is a significant mental health crisis across the United States which has been especially amplified in recent years with the impact of the global pandemic. In an effort to raise awareness on this important issue, remove the stigma of mental illness and mental health challenges, and advocate that those who struggle receive help, Archbishop Borys Gudziak of the Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Philadelphia and chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development, and Bishop Robert Barron of Winona-Rochester, chairman of the USCCB’s Committee on Laity, Marriage, Family Life, and Youth, are launching the National Catholic Mental Health Campaign. The campaign aims to inspire a national conversation around the topic of mental health and to mobilize the Catholic Church to respond compassionately and effectively to the mental health crisis.
The campaign will begin on World Mental Health Day, October 10, and seeks to raise awareness of the many facets of mental health, combat stigma, and advance wise and effective public policy. A Novena, a traditional nine-day Catholic prayer, marks the launch of the campaign, along with a statement introducing the initiative from Archbishop Gudziak and Bishop Barron. The campaign will be enhanced with additional resources and efforts in the coming months. The USCCB collaborated with several national Catholic organizations in creating the Novena, which will run October 10-18, and people of all faiths are invited to join in their prayers.
All are invited to listen to Archbishop Gudziak’s reflection on the campaign and his expression of concern for those facing mental health challenges, their loved ones, caregivers, and all those impacted by the mental health crisis: [Watch Archbishop Gudziak's message here.]. All materials for the campaign may be found here, and all are invited to sign up for the daily Novena emails here.