Nationwide Novena for Mental Health Oct. 10-18

This October, the Catholic Church in the United States is renewing its National Catholic Mental Health Campaign (NCMHC), encouraging all people to become more aware of the issues, eliminate the stigmas around mental illness, and seek creative ways to journey with those who struggle. This can be done now through personal and community accompaniment and by advocating for effective and compassionate public policy around mental health and wellness. As Pope Francis says, "Caring for others is not just a skilled job but a real mission." Now is the time to step into this mission.

Start with the Nationwide Novena. Celebrate Mental Health Sunday. Be ready to act with love.

The Novena for Mental Health is an opportunity for all the People of God to join together in prayer for women and men experiencing or impacted by mental health issues and for all those who accompany them. The Novena can be prayed at any time of year.

The entire Church in the United States is especially encouraged to pray this Nationwide Novena in solidarity with Catholics across the country from October 10 to October 18 each year, beginning on World Mental Health Day (Oct 10) and concluding on the feast of Saint Luke the Physician (Oct 18), the patron of health care. This nine-day prayer experience was developed in collaboration with the National Catholic Mental Health Coalition, a network of leaders representing organizations advising the USCCB and engaging in active work around mental health in Catholic communities nationwide.