7 ways to highlight Mental Health Awareness Month in your parish

April 2, 2025

Mental health matters, head with a crown of flowers aga

Help raise awareness and end the stigma of mental illness during Mental Health Awareness Month in May.

Attend the St. Dymphna Mini-Retreat or the St. Dymphna Mass on May 15th. St. Dymphna has inspired peopel for centuries as the patron saint of mental health. Her story serves as a beacon of hope for those seeking solace and healing. Bishop William Joensen will celebrate Mass at 5:30 p.m. concluding the retreat at St. Ambrose Cathedral. Attendees can come for all or portions of the day.
Clergy, consider including the topic of mental health for part of a Sunday homily during the month of May. Homily ideas on Mental Health and Mental Illness are available from the Association of Catholic Mental Health Ministry.
Provide prayer cards and resources on mental health from the Association of Catholic Mental Health Ministry including:
- Free prayer cards in English and Spanish to Saint Dymphna, Saint John of God, Christ on the Cross, and a Prayer Card for Thos with a Mental Illness.
- The Novena for Mental Health from the USCCB.
- Rosary meditations for people with mental illness, highlighting different meditations for the each mystery of the rosary with an emphasis on mental health.
- Stations of the Cross for Persons with Mental Illness, which walks through the 14 Stations of the Cross with an emphasis on uniting the suffering of Christ in His Passion with those who suffer with mental illness.
Include persons with mental illness and their caregivers in the Prayers of the Faithful.
Provide bulletin blurbs on the topic of mental health to educate parishioners on different areas of mental health and disabilities.
Get involved with the Mental Health Ministry in your parish, or work with your priest to get one started! You can learn more about getting started with Mental Health Ministry at www.dmdiocese.org/MentalHealthMinistry.
Give away green ribbons for mental health awareness after Mass to help raise awareness and end the stigma.