The Church’s response
to Mental Health issues
Rev Thomas Konopka, LCSW-R
I became serious about ministry with mental health issues a long time ago. I have a BA in Psychology. My project for my MDiv revolved around Erik Erikson’s stages of development, During seminary, a brief exposure to state hospital in New Jersey opened my eyes and my first years of priestly ministry opened them wider. After I completed my MSW and was working toward my LCSW, I realized those with mental health issues would often fall between the cracks. Plus, I have had my own stuff to deal with as we all do, and I remember the isolation I would feel in the church. “Priests don’t struggle right?”
All of this was my motivation to try and help priests, deacons and parishes become mental health friendly. Well, in 2010 when I started, there was hardly anything for Catholics. A smattering of papal statement, petty things from chaplain groups, but no focused effort. Other faith communities had a ton of stuff, in particular, the Unitarian community. I still use what I found from them.
Finally, the bishops of California wrote: “Hope and Healing: A Pastoral Letter from the Bishops of California on Caring for those who Suffer from Mental Illness” in 2018. There may have been others, but I never found them. I celebrated Mass at a local psychiatric hospital for almost 10 years, and I often say that I found Christ more present to me there than in the grandest cathedrals of the world. The presence of God when that community prayed, especially the Our Father, was palpable. The living presence of Jesus at the consecration was evident in my heart because where else would Jesus be but in the lives of some of those most forgotten and lost in the world. The Church can learn so much from the people who have a mental health issue, but we need to see them and welcome them.
What can a parish do?
• Create an awareness of the issues.
• Train the office staff in how to work with someone who has obvious struggles and also
• How to put up healthy boundaries. We can say no.
• Train ministers of hospitality how to minister to someone who may have an issue and still make them welcome. At Confirmation a few ago, we had a young visitor who wanted to preach the Gospel to us. I was able to walk out with him and have an enjoyable conversation outdoors. If we remain calm, most situations can be diffused. I realize what had happened in churches and synagogues and I am not naïve, but if we know how to assess the situation quickly, then we can act. Have a safety plan for those serious issues. Have a plan for the issues that can happen that are mild.
• Better pastoral training for priests, deacons and lay ecclesial ministers. Two courses in pastoral psychology in the seminary are nothing. Seeing a mental health crisis or thinking a hallucination or delusion is automatically evil will not help.
• A good referral list in each parish or vicariate of available services is vital.
I hope this series of four articles has been helpful during this month of Mental Health Awareness Month. May Mary the Health of the Sick wrap all those who struggle with mental health issues under her mantle. May the Mother of the Church hold their families in her loving embrace.
