Auxiliary Bishop Keith Chylinski of Philadelphia called for the rejection of stigma around mental health, emphasizing that God “wants us to be healthy mind, body, and soul.”
“Sometimes when we think about mental health, and there could be a stigma, there could be fear, there could be shame in addressing wounds that we have, illnesses that we have,” Chylinski said in an April 30 video message on behalf of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) to mark Mental Health Awareness Month, observed in May.
“But itʼs so important that God loves the whole person,” Chylinski said. “He loves us body and soul. And so, itʼs so important for us as members of the Church to reach out to those who are suffering, who are struggling, and to know that there is a great hope in the Lord.”
Know that no matter what you’re going through, no matter what you’re suffering, that in Christ there is always hope. You are never alone.”
Auxiliary Bishop Keith ChylinskiArchdiocese of Philadelphia
Chylinski, who studied clinical psychology as a priest, praised advances in medical science and psychotherapy over the past 50 years. He also encouraged those struggling with mental health challenges to seek resources offered by the Church.
“There is no shame in asking for help,” he said. “Because the Lord wants us to be healthy, mind, body, and soul, and the way that we live our spiritual lives affects us physically and vice versa, the way that we take care of our bodies, of our minds, affects us spiritually.”
“Know that no matter what youʼre going through, no matter what youʼre suffering, that in Christ there is always hope,” he concluded. “You are never alone.”