Mental Health and Suicide

“Whoever suffers from mental illness ‘always’ bears God’s image and likeness in himself” - Message of Pope John Paul II

USCCB renews the National Catholic Mental Health Campaign through the "Healing & Hope Initiative"

The National Catholic Mental Health Campaign is a year-round initiative of the USCCB to encourage all people of good will to respond to the ongoing mental health crisis across the United States.  The "Healing and Hope Initiative" is focused on amplifying local engagement on mental health and the accompaniment of people struggling with mental illness. 

The USCCB encourages all to:

  1. Become more aware of the issues
  2. Eliminate the stigmas around mental illness, and
  3. Seek creative ways to journey with those who struggle

These can be done now through personal and community accompaniment and by advocating for effective and compassionate public policy around mental health and wellness.  As the late Pope Francis once said, "Caring for others is not just a skilled job but a real mission."  Now is the time to step into the mission!

Here's what you can do to step into the Mission of Healing and Hope:

Pray the Novena for Mental Health, October 10 - 18:  The Novena for Mental Health is an opportunity for all the People of God to join in prayer for women and men experiencing or impacted by mental health issues and for all those who accompany them.  The Novena can be prayed at any time of the year. 

  • USCCB Link: https://www.usccb.org/mental-health-novena
  • Sign up to receive daily emails during the Mental Health Novena from the USCCB
  • Pray the Novena for Mental Health in your home, your parish and ministries
  • Use and Share Prayers Cards inspired by the Novena for Mental Health:
    • Day 1 Removing Stigmas, Novena Prayer Card Saint Dymphna
    • Day 2 Families, Novena Prayer Card Holy Family
    • Day 3 Mental Health Ministry, Novena Prayer Card Saint John of God
    • Day 4 Childhood, Novena Prayer Card Saint Therese of Lisieux
    • Day 5 Youth and Young Adults, Novena Prayer Card Saint Kateri
    • Day 6 Effects of Racial Discrimination on Mental Health, Novena Prayer Card Saint Martin de Porres
    • Day 7 Poverty and Mental Health, Novena Prayer Card Saint Teresa of Calcutta
    • Day 8 Suicide Awareness, Novena Prayer Card Dorothy Day
    • Day 9 Grief, Novena Prayer Card Saint Jane de Chantal

Mental Health Sunday, October 12, 2025: Every year, on the Sunday following World Mental Health Day, Catholics are invited to pause and reflect on healing and hope around mental health in their local parish community.  From depression and loneliness to behavioral and developmental disabilities, mental health is part of so many families and friendships. 

This can be an opportunity to galvanize support and spiritual care for those struggling with emotional, cognitive, and behavioral health issues. 

USCCB Link: Mental Health Sunday Engagement Resource

Parishes can engage in Mental Health Sunday in a variety of ways:

  • Take a moment to pray for those struggling with mental health in the local area
  • During Masses, share about the national campaign and its call for healing and hope
  • Integrate petitions around mental health issues into the Prayer of the Faithful
  • Offer a special blessing for caretakers and those in mental health care work
  • In the narthex/vestibule, feature resources for mental and spiritual wellness
  • Encourage participation in the USCCB's national novena for mental health
  • Consider launching or promoting an existing Catholic mental health initiative
  • Whatever is done, use this moment as a chance to connect with the universal Church's engagement in this important issue. 

USCCB: Roundtable Discussions on Mental Health

The USCCB has sought to explore and unpack several issues within the vast dimensions of mental health care through recorded roundtable conversations between bishops, experts, and ministry leaders.  Watch USCCB mental health roundtables: https://www.usccb.org/committees/laity-marriage-family-life-and-youth/roundtable-discussions-mental-health


 

Bishop Statement

Hope and Healing: A Pastoral Letter from the Bishops of California on Caring for those who Suffer from Mental Illness

Catholic Counseling Resources

County Mental Health Resources by county (link to another page)

     • Butte County Mental Health Services
       Phone: (530)-891-2810, 24 hour crisis line: 800-334-6622

     • Colusa County Mental Health Services
       Phone : (530) 458-0520

     • El Dorado County Mental Health Services
       24 hour crisis line: 800-929-1955

     • Glenn County Mental Health Services
       24 hour crisis line: 1-800-507-3530

     • Nevada County Mental Health Services
       Phone: 530-265-1437, 24 hour crisis line: 888-801-1437
 
     • Lassen County Mental Health Services
       Phone: (530) 251-8108 

     • Placer County Mental Health Services
      Phone: (916) 787-8860 , Mental Health Walk-In Clinic (Toll Free) 1-888-886-5401

     • Plumas County Mental Health Services
       Phone: (530) 283-6307

     • Sacramento County Health and Human Services, Division of Behavioral Health        
       Phone: 916-875-1055  24-Hour Toll Free: 888-881-4881

     • Sierra County Mental Health Services
       Phone: 530-993-6746, Sierra County Crisis Line: 1-877-332-2754

     • Shasta County Mental Health Services
       Phone: 530) 225-5252

     • Solano County Mental Health Services
       New Services Call: (800) 547-0495, 24-hr line: (707) 428-1131 

     • Sutter and Yuba County Mental Health Services
      Main Business Number: (530) 822-7200

     • Tehama County Mental Health Services
       Phone: (530) 527-5631

     • Yolo County Mental Health Services
      To Schedule a Screening Call:  (888) 965-6647, 24-Hour Toll Free: (888)- 965-6647
 

Pastoral Care Resources