If you or someone you knows is living with mental illness counseling services may be available in your area from Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Dubuque. Find out more at: https://www.catholiccharitiesdubuque.org/catholic-charities-services/counseling-services/

We can all help prevent suicide. The Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals.

If you are someone you know needs assistance dial 1-800-273-8255 for assistance or go to suicidepreventionlifeline.org

Grades 7-12

1. What does the church teach about mental illness, specifically suicide?
2. Do you feel that your parish/school are supportive of people with mental illness? Why or why not?
3. As Catholics what can we do for people with mental illness?

Parish Leaders/Committees

1. Does your parish help parishioners better understand mental illness and bring awareness to mental illness?
2. Does your parish offer resources or support for people with mental illness?
3. Many parishes have people with mental illness come to their door or show up for services. Does your parish have a practice of hospitality to people with mental illness? What can you do to be hospitable to people with mental illness who are disruptive?

Faith Sharing/Parishioners/Bible Study

1. What does the church teach about mental illness, specifically suicide?
2. Do you feel that your parish are supportive of people with mental illness? Why or why not?
3. As Catholics what can we do for people with mental illness?

Witness Video Reflection Questions

Grades 7-12

1. St. Dymphna opened a hospital for the mentally ill and poor. What can her example teach us in our modern world with regards to mental illness?
2. To this day the people of Geel, Belgium, where Dymphna had her hospice, welcome and serve the mentally ill. Read more about this community at: https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2016/07/01/484083305/for-centuries-a-small-town-has-embraced-strangers-with-mental-illness
3. What can your school community learn from Dymphna and the community at Geel?

Parish Leadership/Committees

1. St. Dymphna opened a hospital for the mentally ill and poor. What can her example teach us in our modern world with regards to mental illness?
2. To this day the people of Geel, Belgium, where Dymphna had her hospice, welcome and serve the mentally ill. Read more about this community at: https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2016/07/01/484083305/for-centuries-a-small-town-has-embraced-strangers-with-mental-illness
3. What can the parish do to reflect the hospitality of St. Dymphna and the community at Geel?

Faithsharing/Parishioner/College Students

1. St. Dymphna opened a hospital for the mentally ill and poor. What can her example teach us in our modern world with regards to mental illness?
2. To this day the people of Geel, Belgium, where Dymphna had her hospice, welcome and serve the mentally ill. Read more about this community at: https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2016/07/01/484083305/for-centuries-a-small-town-has-embraced-strangers-with-mental-illness
3. How can you help your community be more accepting and welcoming of people with mental illness like the community at Geel?

Action Steps

The State of Iowa ranks last or nearly last with regards to its mental healthcare access and availability.

Grades 7-12

1. Write a letter or contact your legislators (state and federal) to provide necessary funding and resources for helping people with mental illness.
2. Organize an event, speaker, or project that brings greater awareness and support to your school on mental illness.
3. Learn about mental health courts that help keep people with mental illness out of jail/prison. Promote mental health courts in your area. https://humanrights.iowa.gov/sites/default/files/media/COMPREHENSIVE%20JAIL%20DIVERSION%20PROGRAM-MENTAL%20HEALTH%20COURTS%20STUDY.pdf

Parish Leadership/Committees

1. Consider hosting an event with mental health professionals at your parish to discuss ways to improve mental health awareness, access and availability in the State of Iowa and throughout the United States.
2. Learn about mental health courts that help keep people with mental illness out of jail/prison. Promote mental health courts in your area. https://humanrights.iowa.gov/sites/default/files/media/COMPREHENSIVE%20JAIL%20DIVERSION%20PROGRAM-MENTAL%20HEALTH%20COURTS%20STUDY.pdf

Faithsharing/Parishioners/College Students

1. Write a letter or contact your legislators (state and federal) to provide necessary funding and resources for helping people with mental illness.
2. Learn about mental health courts that help keep people with mental illness out of jail/prison. Promote mental health courts in your area. https://humanrights.iowa.gov/sites/default/files/media/COMPREHENSIVE%20JAIL%20DIVERSION%20PROGRAM-MENTAL%20HEALTH%20COURTS%20STUDY.pdf

Closing Prayer

O God, only support of our human weakness,

show the power of your protection

over your servants who are sick,

that, sustained by your merciful help,

they may be restored to your holy Church in good health.

Through Christ our Lord.

Amen

(from the prayer after communion For Various Occasions, “For the Sick” ; Excerpts from the English translation of The Roman Missal © 2010, ICEL. All rights reserved.)