Pope Francis calls for mental health ministry in the Church

Pope Francis has issued a prayer intention for October focused on integrating mental health pastoral care throughout the Catholic Church. The initiative aims to combat the stigma and discrimination faced by individuals living with mental illnesses.

Reflecting on the global scale of the issue, the Pope noted that according to World Health Organization data, approximately one in seven people—over one billion individuals—are affected by mental disorders. The Pope expressed a desire for the Church to become a place of mercy and support, asking for the integration of mental health care into the mission of all communities.

To support this, there are calls for increased training for priests and spiritual directors, potentially including supervised internships in psychiatric units, similar to hospital training for physical health. The intention also extends to supporting the professionals, families, and volunteers who care for those facing mental health challenges.