Chicago News & Information

"Moving Forward in Hope,"
An Evening of Prayer, Connection and Hope
Via Zoom on The 4th Tuesday of Every Month, 7:00-8:00 p.m.

The Archdiocesan Commission on Mental Illness is pleased to offer Moving Forward in Hope, a monthly series of evening prayer, connection, and hope.

Our goal is to create a safe place for those living with or caring for someone with mental health concerns to come together to pray and share with one another.

We know connection is paramount to mental health and well-being. These virtual meetings will cover relevant topics and be held on the fourth Tuesday of each month.

To register or ask questions, please reach out to Deacon Tom Lambert at [email protected]

Deacon Ed Shoener, President of the Association of Catholic Mental Health Ministers Presentation on Suicide

Deacon Ed Shoener, whose daughter died by suicide, co-authored 2 books for ministry, Responding To Suicide and When A Loved One Dies By Suicide, presented a webinar on responding to suicide. Here is the youtube link to the recording of this very important message. Click on the youtube link to see the webinar

NOW ONLINE - OCTOBER 5, 2020 PRESENTATION AT MARY SEAT OF WISDOM PARISH IN PARK RIDGE

Mary Seat of Wisdom Parish in Park Ridge hosted an evening on supporting people with mental illness and their families. Speakers presented on Faith and mental illness, family members, persons with a mental illness, spiritual support, and support programs. 

National Catholic Reporter Interview on Recovery Model and the Catholic Church

The National Catholic Reporter did an interview with Deacon Tom Lambert, from the Archdiocese of Chicago's Commission on Mental Illness, Jan Benton from the National Catholic Partnership on Disability, Archbishop Wenski from Miami, and several mental health professionals about how the Church can be a key component in the recovery model for helping people with mental illnesses. To view the article click here: National Catholic Reporter article "Catholic church can aid treatment of mental illness"

Contact Deacon Tom Lambert at [email protected] to schedule a presentation on accompanying people with a mental illness and their families. The program AWARENESS, ACCEPTANCE, ACCOMPANIMENT covers what mental illnesses are, how they affect the person and their family, spirituality, and recovery, and how we accompany people and their families.
 

The Pope's worldwide monthly message for November is on people who suffer from depression. This video is put together by the Vatican media and for November they relied heavily on input from Deacon Ed Shoener of Scranton, PA. who is president of the Association of Catholic Mental Health Ministers that we, the Archdiocese of Chicago Commission on Mental Illness, belong to. Click here to see the Pope's message
 

OUTREACH TO FAMILIES OF THOSE WHO DIED BY SUICIDE

Death by suicide is a critical issue for our communities. The following is an excellent pastoral resource for those grieving the loss of a person who died by suicide. LOSS of Catholic Charities Chicago, Loving Outreach to Survivors of Suicide, is a non-denominational program supporting those who have lost a loved one by suicide. Click here to go to their website: LOSS PROGRAM

Chicago Catholic Interview on ways of coping during Covet 19

Chicago Catholic did an interview with Deacon Tom Lambert on ways of coping during this period of "sheltering in place." To view the article click here: Chicago Catholic Magazine Interview

US Catholic Magazine Interview on Accompanying People with a Mental Illness

US Catholic Magazine did an interview with Deacon Tom Lambert regarding accompanying people with mental illness and their families. To view the article click here: US Catholic Magazine Interview on Accompanying People with a Mental Illness

The California Bishops Conference pastoral letter on outreach to people with Mental Illness and their families

The California Bishops Conference letter "Hope and Healing" is an excellent statement calling us as a church to reach out to people with mental illness and their families. The Bishops state "As pastors and bishops, we understand that mental health is a critical component of wellbeing. Therefore, ministering to those who suffer from mental illness is an essential part of the pastoral care of the Church. This letter represents a statement by Catholic pastors, in consultation with those who suffer from mental illness, their families and loved ones, health care practitioners, and other caregivers. We acknowledge and thank our collaborators, patients, families, mental health professionals, and pastoral care workers, who assisted with this statement."

This is an excellent teaching tool for parish ministry. It is available on their website at www.cacatholic.org