May is Mental Health Awareness Month
Please share these resources with you parish in preparation for mental health awareness month.
There are many misconceptions about disability and awareness months provide us an opportunity to correct misconceptions, to educate our community, and to celebrate persons with disabilities and their God-given gifts.
The National Catholic Partnership on Disability has resources to help, including:
The National Catholic Partnership on Disability has resources to help, including:
Quotations by Pope Francis about mental illness
Mass and Healing Service
National Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa
First Friday Mass & Healing Service
Following Mass, there will be Praise & Worship, Exposition of the Most Blessed Sacrament, and Healing Prayer Service. This is a special opportunity to encounter Jesus and invite the Holy Spirit to touch you deeply and heal those emotional, mental, physical, relational, or spiritual places that are in need of God’s healing graces. All are welcome!
Location: National Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa, 654 Ferry Rd., Doylestown, PA.
Questions: Email rafal@czestochowa.us Call: 215-345-0600
Retreats
The first Regional Mental Health Ministry Retreat is scheduled for April 12th, 2025, in collaboration with the Archdiocese of Newark’s Office for Family Life Ministry.
This in-person retreat is open to interested people from the Archdiocese of Newark as well as those from neighboring dioceses and parishes in the NY/NJ/PA Tri-State area.
There is no online/virtual option for this retreat.
Catholic In Recovery Women’s Retreat
Friday, April 11th through Sunday, April 13th
Find help in overcoming addictions & unhealthy attachments on this Catholic in Recovery retreat! A weekend-long retreat for women impacted by addiction. Participants will be immersed in witness talks, discussions, Catholic in Recovery meetings, sacraments & fellowship.
Location: Malvern Retreat House 315 S Warren Ave, Malvern, PA 19355
To learn more: https://catholicinrecovery.com/events/
Restore: Healing Retreat for Young Adult Men and Women (ages 21 – 39)
In partnership with the Archdiocesan Office for Ministry with Young Adults, we are excited to offer this Restore Retreat exclusively for individuals between the ages of 21 and 39. God desires to bring us restoration and healing so we will live from the truth that we are His beloved sons and daughters. He desires the restoration of womanhood and manhood to their full glory, empowering us to embrace our unique gifts and complementarity. Come…and let Him Restore you!
Location: Malvern Retreat House 315 S Warren Ave, Malvern, PA 19355
Retreat Leaders: Father Stephen DeLacy of the Office for Ministry with Young Adults and De Yarrison of You Are Made New Ministry
More info: https://youaremadenew.com/restore-men-and-women or email De at de@youaremadenew.com.
Workshops & Other Opportunities
The 2025 Catholic Psychotherapy Association Conference, May 1, 2, & 3, will be a pivotal exploration of the intricate intersections between addiction, trauma, and mental health within the framework of Catholic anthropology. Centered on an integrative perspective that combines mental health sciences with Catholic thought, our focus for 2025 is to comprehensively address the profound impact of addiction and trauma on individuals and communities.
Teens in grades 5-12, their parents, and adults from the community are welcome to hear talks by Janice Ugarriza, LPC, and Deacon Tim Lynch, MS, on Depression and Anxiety in Youth. Dinner is provided for all attendees.
Location: St. Jude Catholic School, 323 W. Butler Ave. Chalfont, PA 18914
Registration is required by submitting the form at bit.ly/SJYMPTCS . Please contact Ashley Bennett with any questions at abennett@stjudechalfont.org
Parenting Anxious Children Workshop Series
The Parenting Anxious Children Workshop Series was shared with us by Sister M. Marcelina Mikulska, Licensed Professional Counselor at the Anxiety and OCD Center in Malvern, PA. Please click the attachment below to view the flyer and share with anyone who may benefit.
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
NAMI is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing support, education, and advocacy for individuals affected by mental health conditions and their loved ones. They raise awareness, offer resources for individuals and families, provide education, and offer both crisis hotlines and help lines for anyone in need.
Testimonials of local parishioners who have found support through NAMI:
“The NAMI family support groups saved me.” - Lisa, St. Eugene, Primos, PA
"I feel so blessed to have found the Havertown NAMI Family Support Group. The facilitators are excellent and it is a great group of compassionate and caring people. My initial experience with NAMI Mainline was through the Family- to- Family classes in the Spring of 2015, and from there began attending the monthly support group meetings.
Our son was experiencing unusual behavior, had several hospitalizations and we were at a loss at how to help him. These meetings allowed me to talk freely about my feelings without fear of judgement. As a group we share our experiences and I’ve been able to find resources that otherwise I wouldn’t have known are available.
My son is doing very well now and I am so grateful for this group at NAMI who have supported me throughout this journey. It is a wonderful resource for those in need."
- Karen, St. Cornelius Church, Chadds Ford, PA
These events offer valuable support however, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia does not guarantee the effectiveness or appropriateness for any individual's specific needs. These events are not intended to replace professional mental health treatment.