What is Catholic Mental Health Ministry?

A Brief Overview

Are you new to the concept of Mental Health Ministry and its significance in the context of the Church, Parish, Dioceses, and Catholic Communities? This course is designed to provide a comprehensive understanding.

The course comprises seven engaging video modules lasting approximately three to eight minutes. This course is highly recommended for those embarking on their journey as Mental Health Ministers, serving as an ideal starting point for a deeper exploration of this crucial topic.

Enroll today and begin your journey toward becoming a Mental Health Ministry advocate and leader, making a difference in your community and beyond.

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Introduction to Catholic Mental Health Ministry

How to start or further develop a Mental Health Ministry

Discover how you can be a driving force in providing impactful mental health ministry to your community. 

This course is ideal for individuals seeking to positively impact their community through mental health ministry, including parish leaders, educators, volunteers, and anyone passionate about enhancing mental health support within Catholic settings. You will gain the knowledge, support, and resources you need to begin a mental health ministry in your parish or diocese.

Enroll today to be a vital part of improving mental health awareness and support within your faith community.

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Introducción al Ministerio de Salud Mental Católico

Cómo iniciar o desarrollar aún más un Ministerio de Salud Mental

Descubre cómo puedes ser una fuerza impulsora en la provisión de un ministerio de salud mental impactante para tu comunidad.

Este curso es ideal para personas que buscan impactar positivamente a su comunidad a través del ministerio de salud mental, incluyendo líderes parroquiales, educadores, voluntarios y cualquier persona apasionada por mejorar el apoyo a la salud mental en entornos católicos. Obtendrás el conocimiento, el apoyo y los recursos que necesitas para iniciar un ministerio de salud mental en tu parroquia o diócesis. 

Inscríbete hoy para ser una parte vital en la mejora de la concienciación y el apoyo a la salud mental dentro de tu comunidad de fe.

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When a Loved One Dies by Suicide

This course is based on the book "When A Loved One Dies By Suicide: Comfort, Hope, and Healing for Grieving Catholics" and brings to life the moving stories of Catholics who have navigated the challenging path of suicide loss.

Explore authentic accounts of Catholics affected by suicide loss, gaining insights into their journeys, grief experiences, and the solace found in faith and community. Learn more about the role of Catholic traditions and teachings for solace, hope, healing, power of prayer for comfort, personal storytelling, addressing the psychological pain and avenues for growth, and promoting a call to loving service within the Catholic faith.

Those who want to learn Catholic teaching about suicide and to be better able to offer empathy, compassion, and prayerful support to those affected by suicide loss.

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Accompanying Those Who Mourn

Accompanying Those Who Mourn will provide the training necessary for parish or Catholic community leaders to start or further develop a bereavement ministry. The training will develop leaders' understanding of grief and how to companion or accompany someone in their sorrow.  

Course Highlights:

1. The Companioning model of bereavement care – Often, we find that grief is treated from a clinical perspective or as a condition in need of treatment. However, we will find that the Companioning model of bereavement care is much more in line with our Catholic faith and one that we can all learn.  

2. Bereavement care in the Catholic context – Find out how bereavement care may look in a Catholic setting verses a non-Catholic or secular setting.   

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Listen With the Ear of the Heart

Embark on a transformative journey focusing on the "soft skills" of Catholic mental health ministry with our Listen with the Ear of the Heart course. Led by Barbara Zahner, BCC (ret.), a founding Board Member of The Association of Catholic Mental Health Ministers (CMHM), this course equips you with the tools to serve others with confidence, competence, and compassion. 

Course Highlights:

• Expert guidance from Barbara Zahner, who draws from her experiences as a retired Board-Certified Chaplain and trained Spiritual Director and who also holds an honorary PhD from the University of Santa Clara in Public Service 

• Dynamic video content featuring nine engaging sessions between 2–6 minutes in length

• Interactive activities, reflection questions, and private journaling opportunities to deepen your understanding and apply learning

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Communication Skills and Healthy Boundaries

Enhance your ability to offer guidance and support in mental health ministry with our Communication Skills and Healthy Boundaries for Mental Health Ministry course. Led by Father Michael Maples, PhD—a priest and a licensed psychologist serving in the Diocese of Knoxville—this course equips you to recognize challenges in others, set appropriate boundaries, and respond effectively to various mental health situations.

Course Highlights:

• Expert instruction from Father Michael Maples, who has experience and credentials in both the Catholic faith and the field of psychology

• Informative video lessons ranging from under one minute to five minutes in length, covering key mental health and ministry topics

• Thought-provoking activities, including reflection questions and journaling exercises, designed to deepen understanding and aid in application

• Certificate of Completion upon completing all required activities

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ACT Accompaniment and Connection Training

Course Overview

Accompaniment and Connection Training (ACT) is a four-hour training designed to equip participants with foundational mental health literacy and Catholic Psychological First Aid skills to support individuals experiencing mental health challenges. Grounded in the mission of Catholic Mental Health Ministry (CMHM), ACT emphasizes compassionate accompaniment, meaningful connection, and appropriate responses to those experiencing emotional or psychological distress.

Through recorded instructional videos and accompanying resource, participants will explore key mental health concepts, learn practical approaches to offering compassionate support, and develop an understanding of how to accompany individuals while recognizing appropriate ministry boundaries. ACT highlights how Catholic mental health ministry can foster hope, reduce stigma, promote connection, and help individuals access appropriate professional resources when needed.

The course may be completed independently or in a group setting. Throughout the videos, participants are encouraged to engage with the reflection questions and discussion prompts presented. Those completing the course independently may pause the videos to reflect on the questions, while groups are encouraged to use them to facilitate conversation and shared learning. Participants may pause and resume the videos as needed, although this will extend the overall time required to complete the training.

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