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Mental Health Ministry

A Ministry of Hope and Healing

Gina Gattuso LCSW PMH-C

We all carry burdens that are unseen. We greet one another at church, smile and wave, yet how many of us, when we kneel down, eyes closed, hands folded in prayer, are holding back tears? We ask God to take our worries away, to ease our pain, to heal our loved ones or ourselves. 

Having faith does not mean we will not struggle, and struggling does not mean our faith is not strong enough. Faith and emotional pain can coexist. At times, we may feel we aren’t praying enough or surrendering enough, but this is simply not the case. Battling depression, grief or anxiety or any mental illness, does not mean our relationship with God is weak. In fact, God never promised a life without hardship, but He assured us that He would always be with us. “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28–30 

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. The 2026 theme is "More Good Days, Together," focusing on community connection… (Mental Health America). As we begin forming our new Mental Health Ministry, we are seeking your input. Please take a few moments to complete the survey. Our struggles are real, but they do not have to define us nor do we need to face them alone.

“Christ took all suffering on himself, even mental illness. […] whoever suffers from mental illness always bears God’s image and likeness in himself, as does every human being. In addition, he always has the inalienable right not only to be considered as an image of God and therefore as a person, but also to be treated as such.” Pope St. John Paul II, “Address to Participants in the International Conference of the Pontifical Council for Pastoral Assistance to Healthcare Workers, On Illnesses of the Human Mind,” (Rome, November 30, 1996).

Caring for our emotional well-being is an important part of our overall health and faith life. At times, we may carry burdens quietly, unsure of what we are feeling or we may be hesitant to reach out for help. It is important to know that seeking support is never a sign of weakness or a lack of faith, it is an act of courage and living in the truth that we were never meant to walk this journey alone. "For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” Matthew 18:20