Welcome to the October 2026
Mental Health Ministry (MHM) Connection
Dear Friends of Mental Health Ministry,
As the days grow shorter and the seasons begin to change, October invites us to pause and reflect on the importance of caring for our mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being. In Mental Health Ministry, we are reminded that no one is meant to carry life's burdens alone.
Through compassionate presence, prayer, education, and accompaniment, we can be living signs of Christ's hope for those who may be struggling. This month, let us look for opportunities to check in on one another, extend kindness, and build communities where every person feels seen, valued, and supported. Together, we can help cultivate hope in every season.
MARK your calendars for the next MHM Quarterly meetings:
- November 10, 10:00 am - 12:00 noon
- February 25, 10:00 am - 12:00 noon
- May 20, 10:00 am - 2:00 pm joint meeting with priests with special speaker. Includes lunch.
Walking together!
Mary Permoda
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This Month's Highlights...
Education
2026 Mental Health First Aid Training OpportunitiesAccompaniment
12th Annual Lighting Arizona PurpleSupporting College Students’ Mental Health
Advocacy
Mental Health Advocacy PositionsCatholic School Pilot Program
St. Mary’s High School Joins the Pilot • Now Serving 10 Schools • Counselor HiringTwobyTwo
Prep Rally Episode: Mental Health Matters
Mental Wellness
Free Virtual Events with the Association of Catholic Mental Health MinistersMass for Mental Health
The Pope's Worldwide Prayer Network October Prayer Intention for Mental Health Ministry and join Catholics around the world in prayer
And Much More!
EDUCATION
FROM LETY...
Learn. Prepare. Make a Difference.
Discover ALL 2026 training opportunities or find out how you can host a training at your parish. Click below to explore the schedule!
For more information about upcoming events, scroll down to the bottom of this Flock Note to access the Mental Health Calendar. Feel free to share your events for the upcoming months to MHM@dphx.org and we will add to our collective calendar.
ACCOMPANIMENT
FROM RICHARD...
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For more information about upcoming events, scroll down to the bottom of this Flock Note to access the Mental Health Calendar. Feel free to share your events for the upcoming months to MHM@dphx.org and we will add to our collective calendar.
For more information about upcoming events, scroll down to the bottom of this Flock Note to access the Mental Health Calendar. Feel free to share your events for the upcoming months to MHM@dphx.org and we will add to our collective calendar.
Catholic School Pilot Program
We are thrilled to share that we’ve had an incredible kick off to the new school year!
Thanks to your continued support, our programs are already off to a dynamic start, empowering students and building momentum for the months ahead.
We also have some exciting news to share:
We are officially welcoming St. Mary's High School to our Pilot Program!
Partnering with St. Mary's marks an important milestone for us, and we are so eager to see the impact this collaboration will bring to their students and school community.
The Pilot is Currently Serving 10 Schools within the Diocese of Phoenix!
We’re hiring another counselor for the Pilot Program, which will allow us to expand our services to additional schools this year!
That means more kiddos, more support, and more opportunities to make a difference. Amazing things are happening!
- St. Catherine
- St. Agnes
- Most Holy Trinity
- Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Glendale
- St. Jerome
- St. Louis the King
- St. John Vianney, Goodyear
- St. Matthew
- Bourgade Catholic High School
- St. Mary's High School
We’re hiring another counselor for the Pilot Program, which will allow us to expand our services to additional schools this year!
That means more kiddos, more support, and more opportunities to make a difference. Amazing things are happening!
Stay connected and inspired! Click the photo to the left to explore the latest International Association of Catholic Mental Health Ministers Bulletin.
Mary Permoda, the director of the Office of Mental Health Ministry for the Diocese of Phoenix, steps in for Bishop John Dolan this month to share a personal video reflection on Pope Leo XIV’s October 2026 prayer intention: “For mental health ministry. Let us pray that the mental health ministry be established throughout the Church, helping to overcome the stigma and discrimination of persons with mental illnesses."
The Pope's Worldwide Prayer Network
October 2026 Prayer Intention
For Mental Health Ministry
We bring before you our brothers and sisters who struggle with challenges to their mental health, who suffer in solitude with anxiety, depression, or any other mental illness.
Send your Spirit upon us, that we may learn to welcome and integrate care for mental health into the life and ministry of our communities and of the whole Church, and thus become a living sign of your mercy, which never abandons and always restores.
Let us pray that the mental health ministry be established throughout the Church, helping to overcome the stigma and discrimination of persons with mental illnesses.
To learn more about the Monthly Day of Prayer for Mental Health, visit our website, download the Click to Pray app in your preferred app store, or visit the Click to Pray website.
PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN UNIVERSITY OF MARY AND DIOCESE OF PHOENIX
The Photina Center for Catholic Counseling, a collaboration between the Diocese of Phoenix and the University of Mary in Bismarck, N.D., provides degree programs and resources to meet the growing need for mental health professionals rooted in Catholic anthropology.
For more information about the University of Mary’s Master of Science in Counseling program or the Catholic Anthropology Certificate, visit online.umary.edu/Photina or contact admissions at enroll@umary.edu
Celebrating the Photina Center Ribbon Cutting and a growing partnership dedicated to forming and supporting the next generation of mental health professionals.
For more information about upcoming events, scroll down to the bottom of this Flock Note to access the Mental Health Calendar. Feel free to share your events for the upcoming months to MHM@dphx.org and we will add to our collective calendar.
RESOURCES
Resource Links
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MENTAL WELLNESS
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Join the Association of Catholic Ministers for FREE virtual events this October—gather, learn, and connect from wherever you are.
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From left to right: Dr. Maria Manriquez, Dr. Elizabeth Munshi, Mary Permoda, and Most Rev. Bishop John P. Dolan
Hosted by Corpus Christi Ministry of Mental Health & Wellbeing on September 20th
A candid conversation on recognizing warning signs, supporting families after loss, and where faith and clinical care meet.
A candid conversation on recognizing warning signs, supporting families after loss, and where faith and clinical care meet.
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Fiat Course Opening Retreat at Our Lady of Guadalupe Monastery
42 participants • 8 instructorsA meaningful day of prayer, formation, and community as our Fiat journey begins.
St. Dymphna, patron saint for those with a mental illness. Pray for us.
