LINCOLN (SNR) – For eight weeks, a group of parishioners from St. John the Apostle Church in Lincoln gathered to learn more about mental health through “The Sanctuary Course for Catholics.”
Parishioner and registered nurse Amber Soden approached another parishioner and licensed psychologist, Dr. Courtney Miller, about co-leading the group together. Soden said she had desired to support this aspect of health within the parish for some time, but was hesitant to lead a mental health educational group alone. Pastor Father Lyle Johnson gave his approval in early December 2021 for Soden and Miller to initiate the group at the parish.
Mental health challenges have always been prevalent in our community, Dr. Miller said, but the pandemic has brought to light the struggles that many of parishioners face.
“One in four people will be affected by a mental health problem at some point in their lives,” according to “The Sanctuary Course for Catholics” course website promotions, “yet the stigma surrounding mental illness silences many and prevents faith communities from responding compassionately and effectively.”
Designed for use in small groups, this eight-session course explores the realities of mental health and illness, as well as the need for faith-based community conversations about the topics. The sessions are guided through the use of a workbook along with films featuring the stories of Catholics living with mental health challenges. Insights from archbishops, theologians, and psychologists are shared across psychological, social, and theological perspectives. Psalm 42 also grounds the course as selected verses open each session.
Soden said the course, offered by Sanctuary Mental Health, which is headquartered out of Canada, is a great way to start the conversation with our fellow parishioners.
“The parish setting is a perfect way to offer this course,” she said. “I felt like I was acquainted with most of our group members but didn’t know them well enough to see the issues that many of them are dealing with. That initial sense of familiarity allowed us to open up to one another very organically.”
Participant Doug said the “human connection” was one of the great things about the course.
“I can read all the books and listen to all the podcasts about mental health,” he said, “but it wasn’t until we came together as a group that I was able to understand the human element of mental health and how it has affected all of us. This is what will allow us to be compassionate and help those we love that need it the most.”
Christian love motivated many participants. Joan, a nurse for 45 years, said she had walked with people going through every kind of suffering – physical, mental and spiritual.
“It does seem easier for most people to discuss physical challenges more easily than mental or spiritual,” she said, both their own and what others experience. “The Sanctuary course is a great jumping off place to begin those conversations which are so important to have if we truly want to love as Jesus does,” she said.
Dr. Miller said she was impressed by the research backing in the development of the material as well as the well-known institutions and professionals who contributed to its making.
“I appreciate the care that went into the development of this course and the fact that the material is accessible online free of charge,” she said. “I highly recommend it for interested individuals and for parish promotion as a solid foundation to open the mental health conversation.”
Eighteen members of St. John Parish registered for the course. While an online group was an option, St. John’s group met in person at the parish, following all necessary health guidelines.
“We are all bound together by our love of Jesus, which in turn makes it easier to expand our minds to see the struggles of those around us,” Soden said. “I’m excited to see how this course affects the culture at our parish regarding those struggling with mental health problems.”
For more information, visit https://www.sanctuarymentalhealth.org.
