Mental Health Resources
Mental Health Resources from Respect Life Office
1. Mental Health Resources Related to Abortion Loss:
Mental health referrals, from trained Catholic licensed professionals, via the Archdiocesan Abortion Healing Ministry, available by contacting the AHM (women, men, couples, young adults 18+ touched by abortion loss in any way) : 314.778.0628
[email protected]
https://resources.archstl.org/article/998994/abortion-healing-ministry
2. Mental Health & Other Resources Related to Miscarriage & Related Preborn Loss:
Resources for those dealing with miscarriage, including mental health, via the Archdiocesan Walking with Families St. Louis resource network:
https://resources.archstl.org/article/489528/walking-with-families (click then scroll to page-end to find all these listed/linked)
Miscarriage & Preborn Loss
- Archdiocesan Catholic Renewal Center Compassion group - prayer and support group for those who have lost children, including the preborn. Contact 314.792.7734 or [email protected]
- Deceased Children's Memorial - St. Mary Magdalen Church houses a special memorial for lost children, including the preborn
- Mercy HeartPrints - comprehensive program through the Mercy Health System to help parents and families through preborn loss or infant loss, 314.521.6000 (mention program when calling).
- Naming & Commendation Rite - preborn loss healing prayer service held regularly in Archdiocesan parishes throughout the year (click then scroll for the schedule, or contact [email protected])
- Professional Counseling options (mention preborn loss and if a Catholic counselor is preferred)
- Natural Family Planning office- 314.997.7576
- Additional resources for those touched by miscarriage loss are available through the NFP office by clicking here.
- Mercy HeartPrints - 314.521.6000
- St. Louis Counseling (Catholic Charities of St. Louis)
- Reproductive & Child Loss Ministry - parent, couple, or family accompaniment through reproductive or preborn loss based at Immaculate Conception Parish (Dardenne); help also extends beyond the parish.
- "Solace and Strength in the Sorrow of Miscarriage" - USCCB Pro-Life pamphlet for parents and families touched by miscarriage loss
- Sympathy/solace cards: for those touched by miscarriage loss are available for ordering by clicking here.
- www.redbird.love – counseling, spiritual direction, referral ministry for loss of a child
3. Mental Health & Other Resources Related to Postpartum Issues
- Postpartum Support International - https://postpartum.net/
- Archdiocesan Catholic Renewal Center Compassion Groups/Grief Ministry: Compassion Groups/Grief Ministry | Default Site
- Gabriel’s Retreat Ministries – retreats and accompaniment and other resources for pregnant and parenting mothers and fathers (up to one year postpartum) https://gabrielsretreat.org/
4. Mental Health & Other Support Related to Fetal Diagnoses
- Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital – Fetal Care Institute, https://www.ssmhealth.com/cardinal-glennon/fetal-care-institute
- Karen Gaffney Foundation (Beyond Missouri/National) - is a non-profit based in Washington state offering support for families and individuals with Down's syndrome, including pregnant moms with a fetal diagnosis, https://karengaffneyfoundation.org/
Youth Ministry List for Youth and Families
- NFCYM (National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry) tons of resources on their page not all are Catholic, but they have been vetted by this respected organization of the Catholic Church
Video Mental Help Ministry Models and Supports with Young People (there are some slides with interesting information that may be helpful)
- slide deck from the video above– https://files.ecatholic.com/31862/documents/2023/6/ACMHM%20Presentation.pptx?t=1688052370000
- Association of Catholic Mental Health Ministers
- Youth- https://www.catholicmhm.org/youth-young-adult (Lot’s of resources!)
- https://www.catholicmhm.org/the-saints-and-mental-health
Video Series on FORMED, “Teenage Mental Health with Sr. Josephine Garrett” has some excellent resources
- On-line Series by Paula Huston on Mental health for youth, with additional resources: https://setonshrine.org/intogodslight/
- https://roypetitfils.com/ (not as much on his site, but he has written a book and has a fantastic Podcast and is well respected in the Catholic field)
- www.nami.org National Alliance on Mental Health, NAMI local: www.namistl.org
- Offers resources and programs on mental illness: family support. Video: ETS - Ending the Silence presentation: www.ets.nami.org
- Formed
Teenage Mental Health with Sister Josephine Garrett – 17 videos
- https://sanctuarymentalhealth.org/2021/12/08/the-catholic-view-of-mental-illness/
- Attached sample exercises and prayers from the attached Sanctuary Youth Series
- Catholic Mental Health Resources: Mental Health Resources in the Catholic Tradition Recovery Groups - Catholic Mental Health Resources
Archdiocesan or Parish -wide Resources
- https://catholicmhm.org/ International Association of Catholic Mental Health Ministers – models for parish mental health ministry programs and other resources
- https://www.mindandsoulfoundation.org/
- https://www.catholiccharitiesusa.org/publications/whole-hearted/
- Mental Health first Aid Training, we encourage all new youth ministers to attend
- The Sanctuary Course for Catholics - Sanctuary Mental Health Ministries (this is for adults)
- https://www.catholiccharitiesusa.org/publications/whole-hearted/
- Mental Health first Aid Training, we encourage all new youth ministers to attend
- The Sanctuary Course for Catholics - Sanctuary Mental Health Ministries (this is for adults)
- Mental Health and your Church…Resource for Church Communities
- The Church of England. Copcese of Chester – see articles in site below:
- Common Conditions – Mind and Soul https://www.mindandsoulfoundation.org/Groups/424312/Common_Conditions.aspx
- National Alliance on Mental Illness (An interfaith group)
- This group also has some practical and broad approaches for mental health ministry.
- https://www.nami.org/Get-Involved/NAMI-FaithNet/
FORMED VIDEOS
Mental Health in Parish Ministry/ Revive – Series of videos with Sr. Josephinehttps://watch.formed.org/mental-health-in-parish-ministry-revive/season:1/videos/why-should-they-care-chapter-2
Suicide:
- Why Should They Care? Series of video – Sr. Josephine Garrett
- Episode 6: Mental Health sinners/ saints – mental health and suicide – interview with Bishop John Dolan
- When a Loved One Dies – video series by CMHM and Sanctuary
- When a Loved One Dies by Suicide: CAMS 8 films
Redbird Ministries:
Catholic 12-week program on grief at loss of a child through adulthood; also grief on suicide loss. Program for parishes, individuals, families and couples. www.redbird.love
- St. Louis Counseling – St. Margaret of Scotland Catholic Church St. Louis Counseling
- Catholic Charities, St. Louis
- Behavioral Health Mental Health & Wellness - Catholic Charities of St. Louis
- Individualized Mental Health Services Individualized mental health services - Catholic Charities of St. Louis