Throughout the Gospels, we hear how Jesus accompanies, strengthens, and empowers people He encounters. Jesus dispels the idea of a connection between illness and sin, and instead reminds us that illness is a part of life, a part of our human condition, and that it is okay to seek help along the path toward healing. Jesus, our Risen Lord, calls us into His own wonderful light and offers us life in abundance. He offers us healing when we are faced with any kind of affliction and pain. Regardless of the struggles we face in our lives, and indeed because of them, we are all welcomed and valued in the eyes of the Lord.

Many of us hearing or reading this message, as priests, deacons, seminarians, vowed religious, lay pastoral leaders, lay volunteers, or faithful parishioners, know of loved ones who struggle with their mental health, or maybe we ourselves have been experiencing a mental health condition, such as depression or anxiety. Please know that you are not alone, and acknowledging your struggle with mental health is okay. There should be no shame connected with mental health or mental illness. Yet, in our faith communities, people often report experiencing shame or stigma attached to mental health and mental health illness.

Together, we can change that. We are excited that Sunday, May 5, 2024, has been chosen as the second Mental Health in the Faith Communities Awareness Sunday throughout the Archdiocese of Toronto. This day is intended to raise awareness in our parish communities of the importance of mental health. It aims to reduce stigma surrounding mental health and encourage individuals to prioritize and take care of their mental well-being. Increasing awareness about mental health also helps people living with mental health issues to feel less alone. And, normalizing mental health and mental health illness can decrease the stigma and shame attached to them. With the materials shared with you, we hope that conversations about mental health will continue, or increase, in our parish communities.

Let us deepen our trust in the healing power of our Lord; let us do our part in becoming agents of hope and healing. Together, we can continue to build communities of faith, where all are welcomed and valued. Let us embrace Mental Health Awareness in the Faith Community Sunday as an opportunity to foster a culture of compassion, understanding, and support, both within our faith communities, and in the broader community.

Sincerely, 

Rev. Francois Diouf, OSB, Ph.D.
President and Chief Clinical Officer
The Southdown Institute