• The Catholic Church is increasingly recognizing and addressing mental health needs, integrating faith into treatment and working to dismantle stigma.
• The USCCB launched the National Catholic Mental Health Campaign to raise awareness, remove stigmas, and advocate for people needing help.
• The Archdiocese of Dubuque initiated a mental health task force and increased conversations about mental wellness following a priest's death by suicide.

Mental illness affects a significant portion of the population, including Catholics. Recognizing this, the Catholic Church is taking steps to address mental health needs through various initiatives. These include integrating faith and spirituality into mental health treatment, launching national campaigns to raise awareness and remove stigmas, and providing support networks within dioceses. Recent events, such as the death of a priest by suicide in the Archdiocese of Dubuque, have further catalyzed conversations and efforts surrounding mental wellness within the Church.

• What: The Catholic Church is actively addressing mental health through integrated treatment approaches, national campaigns, and local support networks.
• Who: Key individuals include Catholic mental health therapists, the US Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), Archbishop Thomas Zinkula, Father Aaron Junge, and organizations like the Catholic Psychotherapy Association and the Martin Center for Integration.
• When: The USCCB launched its National Catholic Mental Health Campaign in 2023. The priest's death in the Archdiocese of Dubuque occurred in November 2024. The CDC reported mental health crisis in August 2024.
• Where: These events are taking place across the United States, with specific focus on the Archdiocese of Dubuque in Iowa and the Minneapolis-based Martin Center for Integration.

The Catholic Church's increasing focus on mental health reflects a broader societal trend toward recognizing and addressing mental health challenges. Integrating faith into therapy can provide a unique and valuable resource for Catholic individuals seeking mental health support. The USCCB's national campaign and the Archdiocese of Dubuque's initiatives demonstrate a commitment to reducing stigma and providing resources for those in need. The openness displayed by church leaders like Archbishop Zinkula and Father Junge is crucial in fostering a supportive environment within the Catholic community. The focus on holistic outlook combining clinical and spiritual support is beneficial.

The more we can just be honest about it and more transparent rather [than] try and hide these kinds of things, it doesn’t help, I don’t think, in the long run.

The fact that it catalyzed prayer and conversation around the overall mental health of priests and religious is, I believe, God bringing good from a very tragic situation.

The field of psychotherapy is a traditionally very secular field, and the doctrine of our faith around suffering...all of that is missing from what we think of when we think of the world of psychotherapy and mental health care.

The Catholic Church is making strides in addressing mental health needs within its community, driven by a desire to reduce stigma, provide integrated care, and support those struggling with mental illness. The USCCB's campaign and diocesan initiatives represent significant steps forward. The increased openness and dialogue following tragic events like the death of Father Conway suggest a positive shift in the Church's approach to mental wellness, fostering a more supportive and understanding environment for Catholics seeking help.