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ture deaths in the United States.

Recently, I learned about the Association for Catholic Mental Health Ministers.

According to its webpage, ACMHM is “a lay association of the Christian faithful whose members are called to be a healing presence in the lives of people with mental illness. The association works to make mental health ministry an integral and common ministry in the Church.”

Mental health ministry provides spiritual support to people living with a mental illness and informs their churches about the issues, struggles and joys that can be found in people living with a mental illness. The association provides the tools, methods and insights that allow leaders to confidently minister to people with a mental illness without fear or prejudice. You can learn more by visiting catholicmhm.org.

As a people of God, we are called to build not just a spiritual castle in the air or some future heavenly kingdom, but a community of warmth and affection right where we are.

While being steadfast to our creed, we find no contradiction in the hope of carving out a space in time where people stigmatized by mental health issues can find healing. Our Lord’s words have special meaning these days: “Come to me, all you who are heavy laden.”