Parish Mental Health Ministry

A one-year pilot project funded by the Association of Catholic Mental Health Ministers (ACMHM) for the period January-December 2022 to support the Catholic parishes of All Saints and Our Lady of Mercy in the Archdiocese of Johannesburg to develop a Mental Health Ministry (MHM) as an integral part of their parish activities. The project is designed to reach out to the communities of Emdeni, Ennerdale and nearby areas.

The project aims at:

• Increasing awareness of mental health issues and reducing stigma and discrimination against those living with mental illness.
• Providing spiritual accompaniment and support for people living with mental disorders.
• Welcoming people with mental illness into the sacramental and communal life of the Church.

The project achievements will be made possible by training and mentoring the MHM parish teams in areas of mental health self-care and psychosocial support (spiritual/pastoral guidance) with the assistance of expert stakeholders.

The trained MHM parish teams will then work with community collaborators and public speakers in creating awareness campaigns through platforms such as homilies at Sunday Mass, sodality gatherings, days of reflection, and retreats with a view to increase mental health awareness and initiate parish-based support groups for people with mental health conditions.

Address: 7 The Haven
Cor. Tottenham Rd & Jellicoe Ln
Melrose
Johannesburg

PO Box 52015
Saxonwold
2194

Phone: 011 880-4022
Email: jane.sutherland@cathca.org