Filipino bishops have issued a pastoral letter on mental health awareness, acknowledging the "unseen burden" of people dealing with anxiety, depression, addiction, loneliness, grief, and raising a proposal to "listen and offer accompaniment" by establishing counseling groups.
The members of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) also apologized to families that are grieving the loss of a loved one through suicide who felt they were shunned by the Church.
"Many among us carry unseen burdens. Some struggle with anxiety, depression, addiction, loneliness, grief, or other mental health challenges. Others silently bear the pain of poverty, unemployment, overwhelming debt, family conflict, migration, or the loss of hope. Many suffer in silence, afraid of being judged, misunderstood, or rejected. There are those who begin to believe their lives no longer matter," according to the statement signed by CBCP President and Lipa Archbishop Gilbert Garcera.
"As your bishops, we wish first of all to say to every person who is struggling: you are not alone. God loves you. Jesus never turned away those who suffered. He drew near to them, listened to them, touched them, restored their dignity, and brought them back into the community. The Church is called to do the same today. The Church loves you," the CBCP also said.
Understanding, care, compassionate accompaniment
The bishops clarified that "Mental illness is not a sign of weak faith. It is not a punishment from God."
Affected individuals, the CBCP said, "understanding, appropriate care, and compassionate accompaniment."
It was proposed that parishes organize counseling groups, make sure priests are available to hear confessions, prayers and Masses are offered for mental health and healing while the people are encouraged to seek professional care.
"No one should suffer alone," the bishops said.
"We encourage those experiencing mental health challenges to seek appropriate professional care whenever needed. Seeking medical or psychological help is not a lack of faith. God’s healing often comes through the dedicated service of doctors, psychologists, counselors, and other caregivers, whose work we gratefully acknowledge," they added.
Apology to grieving families
The church leaders also talked about families that are grieving the death of a loved one through suicide and issued an apology for past misunderstanding.
"If you have experienced misunderstanding or felt unwelcome within the Church during your time of grief, we ask your forgiveness. We urge our priests and pastoral workers to accompany families with compassion, to celebrate the Church’s funeral rites in accordance with current ecclesiastical discipline, and to proclaim the hope that is found in Christ," they said.
"The Church entrusts your loved ones to the infinite mercy of God. “As the grave psychological suffering can diminish personal responsibility, we should not despair of the eternal salvation of persons who have taken their own lives” (CCC 2282–2283). “In God’s hand is the life of every living thing and the breath of all mankind” ( Job 12:10). Please do not lose hope," said the bishops, as they underscored the "sacredness of human life."
Supportive communities
The CBCP issued the pastoral letter at the end of their biannual general assembly that was held in the Archdiocese of Ozamis raising the increase in mental health concerns involving students, parents, overseas workers, victims of abuse, among others.
The factors affecting mental health such as poverty, unemployment, injustice, family breakdown, natural disasters, migration, online addiction, as well as technology and artificial intelligence "when left unchecked, can also contribute to anxiety, loneliness, unhealthy comparison, cyberbullying, addiction, and other threats to mental well-being."
In conclusion, the CBCP is calling on the participation of parishes, religious communities, Basic Ecclesial Communities (BECs), and schools "to promote honest conversations about mental health and strengthen collaboration with families, professionals, and government institutions."
"Above all, let us become communities where no one is ashamed to seek help, no one is judged for struggling, and no one is left to carry life’s burdens alone," they said. — BAP, GMA News