The prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development issued a message for World Mental Health Day.
“No psychological wound can ever erase the dignity of a human person,” Sister Alessandra Smerilli, F.M.A., wrote in her message, released October 9. “To all who suffer, the Church says: you are not alone, and God has not abandoned you.”
“As Christians, we are called to develop a stable, competent, compassionate and preventive ministry that embraces the person in their totality: body, mind and spirit,” she added. “This requires trained pastoral workers, collaboration with health professionals, clear referral pathways, attention to suicide prevention, support for families and care for young people.”