The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops launched a National Catholic Mental Health Campaign in October, 2023. Their
introductory statement begins,
"Although mental illness is a pervasive and common aspect of human life, there is an alarming shortage of mental and behavioral health resources and providers. Furthermore, over the last decade, both before and after the COVID-19 pandemic, we have seen an alarming increase in depression and suicidal tendencies, especially among young people. Despite its ubiquity, mental illness and mental health challenges often remain associated with embarrassment, shame, or guilt, which can prevent people from seeking and receiving help.
Such a stigma contradicts the compassion of Jesus and is contrary to the foundation of Catholic Social Teaching. As pastors, we want to emphasize this point to anyone who is suffering from mental illness or facing mental health challenges: nobody and nothing can alter or diminish your God-given dignity. You are a beloved child of God, a God of healing and hope."
The statement goes on to highlight some of the current data we have on mental health in the United States. Notably:
- The majority (60-85%) of Americans experience mental illness at some point in their lives, yet stigma about mental illness still remains the most significant barrier to treatment.
- Among high schoolers, CDC data "show that nearly all indicators of poor mental health... increased over the past decade. In 2021, 42% of students experienced persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness, up from 28% a decade earlier; 22% seriously considered attempting suicide, up from 16%; and 18% made a suicide plan, up from 13%."
- Populations of high school students experiencing disproportionately high rates of attempted suicide and persistent feelings of hopelessness include girls, students who identify as "LGBT+," and students of color.
The time is now to come together in a spirit of hope and healing. Yes, we live in a time of great pain and suffering and the barriers to accessing help are real, and also: no one suffers alone, and change is always possible. Educating ourselves about mental health and the resources available to seeking help is critical. The links below represent just a small fraction of the information and resources out there, whether you are seeking support for a student or yourself.