A Vision Statement developed by the commission reads,
We work in collaboration with existing community resources to provide alternative strategies for compassionate care. These strategies assist our diocese, parishes and schools in the recognition, prevention and early intervention of the psycho-social and spiritual needs for those affected by the broad range of mental illnesses.
Sr. Okoko says she thinks the committee will be instrumental in helping those in ministry better understand those in their pastoral care who are experiencing mental illness, including depression, drug and alcohol and addiction and other conditions that can lead to suicide or homicide.
“Some people see depression and say, ‘this person is not in the spirit,’ ” Sr. Okoko observes. “Well, that person needs help.”
Indeed, lack of information and skills needed to recognize the presence of a mental illness have led priests and others in parish leadership to use only spiritual practices in attempts to help those who are troubled. This might include healing Masses, the laying on of hands and even exorcisms.
Committee member, Dr. Marco Elias, says sometimes professional counseling is what is needed most.
“We are body and mind,” says Elias, who is the director of the Diocesan Office of Transitions and also a licensed therapist. “Part of the value of this committee is just to raise awareness that pastoral responses focused on the spiritual aspect sometimes are not enough.”
At the same time, the Church can be instrumental, particularly in Hispanic communities, in convincing those who are experiencing mental difficulties to seek help, says Mirza Andrade-Martinez, a member of the committee and a Prevention Specialist for Mental Health Services Central Valley Prevention Program.
“We find that individuals, especially in the Hispanic community, won’t access [mental health] services that are offered,” she says. “Yet we also find that the one place people will go to ask for help is church.”
By raising awareness of the presence of mental illness in faith communities, the committee also aims to erase the stigma attached to mental illness and thereby help those affected talk about it and seek help.
Another goal of the commission is to create, in collaboration with community partners, a central source of resources and information about mental illness. Sr. Okoko has already compiled a list of mental health care resources. Also, as part of that objective, an educational event in partnership with Loma Linda University Medical Center is planned for the Spring.
“I was very happy to see that the Catholic Church was taking the step to provide training in how to refer people [suffering from mental illness] to the right services at the right time,” said Martinez. “To me, that’s huge.”