The Office of Life, Justice and Peace at the Archdiocese of Los Angeles has announced a series of workshops aimed at training parish leaders and lay people to help them build mental health ministries at their respective parishes throughout 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,” the archdiocese’s Lauren Stadelman said in a statement.
The workshops, hosted on Zoom, began earlier this week and are designed to help participants view the issue of mental health within the context of the Catholic community, according to the diocese. Instructors will distinguish the roles of mental health minister and mental health professional, and teach the frameworks of Psychological First Aid and Skills for Psychological Recovery.
Dr. Wendell Callahan of the Catholic Mental Health Institute through the University of San Diego, and Dr. Xavier Cagigas of UCLA and the Department of Mental Health Speakers Bureau will be among the presenters.
The four-part series will connect parish leaders with support and resources for seeking help from community organizations and direct individuals to mental health professionals as needed.
More information on the ministry is available at lifejusticeandpeace.lacatholics.org/mental-health.
