Mental illness is unique among other illnesses in that the treatment usually is dependent upon some type of human relationship. Persons seeking treatment will need to speak with a therapist, spiritual leader, and doctor about personal matters. 

Effective treatment for mental illness goes beyond the need for medication; it also includes addressing psychological issues, social networks and matters of faith and spirituality. 

Therefore, it is important that attention be paid to language and cultural issues that may enhance or hinder treatment. Mental illness is viewed differently in different cultures. Some cultures focus on the biology of illness; other cultures may believe that mental illness is the result of a lack of harmony with nature, separation from God, exposure to an evil spirit, punishment for past sins, etc. Knowledge of those beliefs will greatly improve the likelihood of effectively reaching out to those individuals who are from a different culture.

Mental Health Resources

1. Local Organizations:
   • Catholic Charities Counseling- Counseling Services - Catholic Charities Of The Archdiocese Of Galveston-Houston.
   • Christus- Home - CHRISTUS Foundation for HealthCare
   • CMHM-Houston Chapter- Association of Catholic Mental Health Ministers | Houston Chapter
   • Gratia Plena- Gratia Plena
   • Luz de Luz Counseling-  Luz de Luz Counseling - Catholic Therapy for Women - Virtual in Texas
   • Metoyer Roundtable Consulting-  Expert Healthcare Consultant | Metoyer Roundtable Consulting
   • Rejoice Counseling- Rejoice Counseling | Bringing the healing of Christ to the world
2. Crisis/Immediate Aid:
   1. Crisis Text Line- Text “TALK” to #741741 
   2. Suicide & Crisis Lifeline- Call #988 
   3. Suicide Hotline: 1800-273 TALK Need You Right Now!
3. Accompaniment & Support: 
   1. McGrath Institute for Church Life UND-   Fiat Program on Faith and Mental Health | About| Centers, Initiatives, and Programs | McGrath Institute for Church Life | University of Notre Dame
   2. Mental Health First Aid- Funding Opportunities « Mental Health First Aid
   3. Sanctuary program- The Sanctuary Course for Catholics - Sanctuary Mental Health Ministries
   4. Whole Hearted- Whole Hearted Participant Journal for Adults - Catholic Charities USA
4. National Organizations:
   1. Catholic Mental Health Ministers CMHM- Association of Catholic Mental Health Ministers 
   2. Catholic Therapists- About - Catholic Therapists
   3. NAMI- NAMI Greater Houston - 501 (c)(3) Nonprofit - You are not alone!
   4. National Catholic Partnership on Disability- Mental Illness | NCPD - National Catholic Partnership on Disability
   5. Saint Luke Institute- Our Services - Saint Luke Institute
   6. Substance Abuse & MH Services Admin- SAMHSA - Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
   7. USCCB-Mental Health Campaign- MentalHealth | USCCB
5. Welcomed and Valued Booklet:

Building faith communities of support and hope with people with mental illness and their families. NCPD Council on Mental Illness  This 95-page resource contains information on raising awareness of the issues with mental illness and offers resources for building faith communities of support and hope with persons with mental illness and their families.

People who experience major mental illnesses tend to feel isolated and marginalized. They often feel excluded from the community in which they grew up and from their own parish. The myths about and the misunderstanding of mental illness keep some people and their families from participating in the life of the church because they feel judged, devalued, unwelcome, or different. Awareness of these perceptions, which are often overlooked or discounted, can guide parishes in the most helpful response. Including people with mental illness and their families in addressing these issues will provide insights into the most effective response.  * This list of resources serves for sound knowledge purposes and does not constitute an endorsement by the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston