DESPITE OUR CULTURE’S EMPHASIS on the secular, mental health officials are following the science, which is increasingly leading them to the spiritual as an essential component of good mental health.
REBECCA FREEMAN, PASTORAL CARE MINISTRY COORDINATOR FOR THE OFFICE OF FAMILY LIFE IN THE DIOCESE OF ORANGE, TALKS
DURING SEMINAR ON MENTAL HEALTH & SPIRITUALITY AT ST. NICHOLAS CHURCH IN LAGUNA WOODS. PHOTOS BY STEVEN GEORGES/DIOCESE OF ORANGE
Dr. Michael Mullard with the Orange County Healthcare Agency (OCHA) alongside John Reynolds, Mental Health Peer Specialist and Rebecca Freeman, Pastoral Care Ministry Coordinator for the Diocese, recently discussed the positive correlations between spirituality and neuroscience at a recent presentation hosted by St. Nicholas parish’s Mental Health and Wellness Ministry in Laguna Woods. Mullard said that since the 1980s, there has been an explosion of research indicating the importance of prayer or meditation on brain health, from calming stress to actual neurological changes.
About a dozen parishes in Orange County now have mental health ministries.
DR. MICHAEL MULLARD OF THE ORANGE COUNTY HEALTHCARE AGENCY TALKS ABOUT SPIRITUALITY COMMITTEE DURING A MAY 6 SEMINAR ON MENTAL HEALTH & SPIRITUALITY AT ST. NICHOLAS PARISH IN LAGUNA WOODS. PHOTOS BY STEVEN GEORGES/DIOCESE OF ORANGE
“We seek to care for the whole person from conception to the end of life and everything that happens along the way, especially amidst challenges and suffering,” Freeman said.
As part of the these awareness and destigmatization efforts, the Diocese recently created a video available on YouTube titled: “Catholic Truths About Mental Health with Fr. Steve Correz,” pastor of St. Mary’s parish in Fullerton along side Catholic therapists, Dr. Michael Mullard and Dr. Margery Arnold, and seminarian Ethen O’Campo. This video provides answers to common questions and misconceptions about mental health from a faith perspective and was filmed at the Green Bench on the Christ Cathedral Campus which was dedicated last Mental Health Awareness Month as part of Providence’s “Promise to Talk” campaign (#GreenBenchOC).
The Church has consistently recognized the connection between mental health and a connection to the life of the Church and one another. In 2018, the California Catholic Conference of Bishops has issued a statewide statement on mental health entitled “Hope and Healing: A Pastoral Letter on Caring for those who Suffer from Mental Illness Addressed to All Catholics and People of Goodwill.” One line explains, “Those living with a mental illness should never bear these burdens alone, nor should their families, who struggle heroically to assist their loved ones.
We Christians must encounter them, accompany them, comfort them and help bear their burdens in solidarity with them — offering our understanding, prayers, and tangible and ongoing assistance.”
Happily, mental health agencies and research is recognizing the connections our spiritual practices and communities have on our mental health and support as we navigate a mental health diagnosis or condition. OCHA Behavioral Health Equity Committee has established an interfaith and ecumenical Spirituality Committee to engage with the faith communities on this integration of spirituality and mental health of which this presentation was a part. Dr. Michael, John and Rebecca all serve as Catholics on this committee. The emergence of mental health ministries across Orange County recognizes the connection that faith brings to health and wellness. The St. Nicholas parish Mental Health ministry began in 2024 and draws approximately 50 people to its monthly meetings, which cover a variety of topics.
According to Mary Emminger, who, along with Barbara Ferro, coordinates the ministry, “The ministry strives to provide education to all men, women and teens. Through education, we seek to reduce the stigma that surrounds mental health.”
She added: “Many people and families dislike admitting they or a family member has a mental issue. They wonder, ‘What will people think?’ Another important aspect of our ministry is providing resources to people. Many people do not know who to call or who to turn to when help is needed. We provide up-to-date resources at every meeting.”
Anyone interested in starting a mental health ministry in their parish are invited to reach out to Rebecca Freeman at [email protected] or for more information and resources visit rcbo.org/mental-health.