This grant funded a new position within the existing Counseling Program focused on expanding the CL capacity and serving as the catalyst and facilitator for building and growing a new parish-based mental health ministry.
Under the grant, the CL role:
- Served as the primary point of contact for priests and Catholic school personnel who are seeking clinical resources and guidance for parishioners, students, and school families;
- Conducted intake assessments;
- Connected clients with qualified clinician resources, either within the Catholic Charities’ Clinical Services or with a vetted external clinician, community mental health center, or closest ER; and
- Facilitated parish-based mental health ministries in parishes across the diocese.
The mental health ministries are parish-based programs that provide education and vital group-based spiritual accompaniment for people experiencing mental health challenges and mental illness, as well as those who care for them.
Impact
The expanded role of the CL provides trusted and faith-based mental health services and helps clients navigate the mental health system for treatment options
The mental health ministries fight stigma and create a faith-based community to deal with mental health struggles
