Auxiliary Bishop Keith Chylinski of Philadelphia called for the rejection of stigma around mental health, emphasizing that God \u201cwants us to be healthy mind, body, and soul.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSometimes when we think about mental health, and there could be a stigma, there could be fear, there could be shame in addressing wounds that we have, illnesses that we have,\u201d Chylinski said in an April 30 video message<\/a> on behalf of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) to mark Mental Health Awareness Month, observed in May.<\/p>\n \u201cBut it\u02bcs so important that God loves the whole person,\u201d Chylinski said. \u201cHe loves us body and soul. And so, it\u02bcs so important for us as members of the Church to reach out to those who are suffering, who are struggling, and to know that there is a great hope in the Lord.\u201d<\/p>\n Know that no matter what you\u2019re going through, no matter what you\u2019re suffering, that in Christ there is always hope. You are never alone.\u201d<\/p>\n Archdiocese of Philadelphia<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n Chylinski, who studied clinical psychology as a priest, praised advances in medical science and psychotherapy over the past 50 years. He also encouraged those struggling with mental health challenges to seek resources<\/a> offered by the Church.<\/p>\n \u201cThere is no shame in asking for help,\u201d he said. \u201cBecause the Lord wants us to be healthy, mind, body, and soul, and the way that we live our spiritual lives affects us physically and vice versa, the way that we take care of our bodies, of our minds, affects us spiritually.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cKnow that no matter what you\u02bcre going through, no matter what you\u02bcre suffering, that in Christ there is always hope,\u201d he concluded. \u201cYou are never alone.\u201d<\/p>\n\n