ARCHDIOCESE OF LOS ANGELES OFFICE OF LIFE, JUSTICE & PEACE LAUNCHES MENTAL HEALTH MINISTRY WORKSHOP SERIES

October 18, 2021  |  By: newsroom  |  Press Releases  |  

Workshops to provide information and resources to encourage parish leaders to begin Mental Health Ministries at parishes throughout the Archdiocese   

The Office of Life, Justice and Peace of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles will launch a series of workshops aimed at training parish leaders, including clergy, religious sisters, and lay people, to equip them to build a Mental Health Ministry at their respective parishes throughout the tri-county Archdiocese encompassing Los Angeles, Ventura and Santa Barbara counties. 

“The Mental Health Ministry is part of how we can respond to the needs of the sick and vulnerable in our community,” said Lauren Stadelman, MPH, Director, Caring for the Whole Person for the Archdiocese’s Office of Life, Justice & Peace.

The series of workshops, which will be hosted on Zoom beginning on Wednesday, October 20, will help participants comprehend the issue of mental health and the role of the Catholic community to companion those in need.

“Training and collaboration are essential to equip parishes and Catholic organizations with the awareness, dialogue and skills to companion those with mental illness,” added Mrs. Stadelman who leads the Mental Health Ministry for the Archdiocese. “This is a powerful avenue to building welcoming and supportive spaces for people to encounter Christ’s healing love.”

Participants will learn to distinguish between the role of a mental health minister and the role of a mental health professional and understand frameworks of Psychological First Aid and Skills for Psychological Recovery as approaches to assisting individuals that need help.

The training will feature presentations from Dr. Wendell Callahan of the Catholic Mental Health Institute through the University of San Diego, and Dr. Xavier Cagigas of UCLA and the Dept. of Mental Health Speakers Bureau.

The four-part-series will also provide parish leaders with support and resources for seeking additional help from community organizations and direct individuals to mental health professionals as needed.

For more information about this ministry, please visit https://lifejusticeandpeace.lacatholics.org/mental-health.

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