Chicago Chapter - About Us

Archdiocesan Commission on Mental Illness

The Commission is part of the Chicago Archdiocesan Office for Persons with Disabilities. The purpose of the Commission is to resource parishes on the spiritual and supportive needs of people with serious mental illnesses and their families. We offer workshops and presentations on the pastoral needs of people with mental illness and their families. Mental illness affects one in 5 individuals. Each individual has a family so the need is great for our faith communities.

For more information contact Deacon Tom Lambert, Co-Chair of the Commission by email at [email protected] or by phone at 872-260-4108.

"Brochure about the Archdiocesan Commission on Mental Illness" (Brief description of the Commission)

Faith and Fellowship

The purpose of Faith and Fellowship is to provide Faith experiences in a way suited to the needs of persons with a mental illness within the context of a small community of believers and to offer opportunities for integration into the life and activities of the parish community.

People with mental illness are often socially isolated and even feel isolated from God. Faith and Fellowship is a ministry where persons with a mental illness, especially those who are significantly disabled by it, can experience the love of God's presence and their sisters and brothers. Faith and Fellowship groups consist of 10 to 15 adults including approximately equal numbers of persons with a mental illness and volunteers from local churches. They meet semi-weekly as partners in prayer and socialization. The meetings feature:

• A time for prayer
• A time for quietly shared activities
• A time for a reflection on the meeting theme (Symbol, Life experience, Scripture, Music)
• A time for Agape

For more information contact 708-383-9276.

St. Damian Parish, Oak Forest, Il Mental Health Awareness Support Group

St. Damian Mental Health Support Group meets once a month to support individuals and families living with mental health difficulties in a spiritual and confidential environment. We are a community of faith offering help and hope. For more information call the St Damian Pastoral Center at 708-687-1370

In addition to the above: Contacts for mental illness support, information, starting parish mental health teams, and ministry opportunities :

Arlington Hts., Il Parishes Mental Health
The three parishes in Arlington Hts, St James, St Edna, and Our Lady of the Wayside mental have formed a mental health team. for more information contact either of the parishes.

Christ The King Parish, Chicago. Contact Amy McNicholas, LCPC, Faith and Mental Health Specialist-Advocate Health [email protected]

Our Lady of Mt Carmel, Chicago. Contact Deacon Tom Lambert @ [email protected]

Holy Name Cathedral. Contact Deacon Dan Welter @ Holy Name Cathedral at 312-787-8040

St Mary of the Annunciation Mundelein. Contact Deacon Al Sedivy at [email protected]

Mary Seat of Wisdom, Park Ridge. Contact Deacon Kevin Blindauer at [email protected]

St Mary of Vernon, Indian Creek. Contact Deacon Jerry Nora at [email protected]

St George Parish, Tinley Park. Deacon Jerry Souta, [email protected]