Catholic Mental Health Ministers in the SACBC region gathered at the eMseni Christian Conference Centre in Benoni, South Africa for the first-ever SABC workshop dedicated to mental health and pastoral care.

The conference organised by the Catholic Health Care Association of Southern Africa (CATHCA) saw the participation of 80 Catholic health ministers including, religious men and women, and members from civil society organisations.

In an interview with Vatican News founder of the Association of Catholic Mental Health Ministers Deacon Ed Shoener lauded the first SACBC conference dedicated to mental health and pastoral care and called for the establishment of such ministries at the parish level throughout the SACBC region.

According to CATHCA mental health ministry coordinator Dr. Melese Shula at least five dioceses in the SACBC region have established mental health and pastoral care ministries.

Guest speakers at the first-ever SABC workshop dedicated to mental health and pastoral care shared personal lived experiences and how each overcame conditions related to mental health.

According to a UNICEF South Africa 2021, U-Report poll at least 65 percent of young people stated that they had some form of a mental health issue but did not seek help. For Kefilwe Modise, a youth member at Our Lady of Mercy Parish in Johannesburg Archdiocese, the inclusion of mental health awareness programs during youth retreats will help many young people struggling with conditions related to mental health.

Meanwhile, Bishop Victor Phalana of Klerksdorp Diocese told Vatican News that mental health ministry will be addressed during the SACBC August plenary session.