Welcome to the September 2026
Mental Health Ministry (MHM) Connection
Dear Friends of Mental Health Ministry,
September is Suicide Prevention Month, a time to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and remind those who may be struggling that hope and help are available. As people of faith, we are called to accompany one another with compassion, listening hearts, and a commitment to creating communities where no one feels alone in their pain.
This month also offers a special opportunity to come together in prayer and remembrance. We invite you to join us for the Mass of Remembrance on September 13, where we will honor and remember loved ones lost to suicide. Through our shared faith, we seek to offer comfort, healing, and hope to individuals and families carrying grief.
Thank you for being part of the Mental Health Ministry community and for helping build environments where every person knows they are valued, loved, and worthy of care. Together, through prayer, education, and compassionate presence, we can be a source of hope and healing for all.
Walking together!
Mary Permoda
Mass of Remembrance for survivors of suicide loss
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The Vatican is urging the world to take a deeper look at homelessness—not simply as a housing issue, but as a human dignity issue.
Beyond Housing: A Call to See the Whole Person
Beyond Housing: A Call to See the Whole Person
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This Month's Highlights...
WELCOME CORINA IBARRA!
Please join us in welcoming to our Office of Mental Health Ministry Staff. She has accepted the position of ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT II FOR MENTAL HEALTH MINISTRY. We are so excited to have Corina join us!
Education
Mental Health First Aid Classes for Adults and YouthNational Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Peer-to-Peer free sessions
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Family-to-Family free sessions
Accompaniment
Being Communities of Accompaniment Through ImmigrationAccompanying Those who Mourn After Suicide Loss Webinar
University of Notre Dame FIAT Course (FREE!)
Advocacy
2026 AZ Legislative Session RecapMonthly Advocacy Call
Catholic School Pilot Program
Excited for the new school year and best practices/tools when engaging with students!Mental Wellness
Creating Spaces of Healing: How to Plan a Mental Health Ministry RetreatHidden Suffering
And more!
EDUCATION
FROM LETY...
ACCOMPANIMENT
FROM RICHARD...
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Join us on the Path of Accompaniment Through the Diocese of Phoenix/University of Notre Dame
Fiat Course!
For more information contact Mary Permoda, mpermoda@dphx.org or 602-354-2114.
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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.
ADVOCACY
FROM BRIAN...
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
Catholic School Pilot Program Counselors are ready for a new school year!
New Tools, New Adventures!
Our Pilot Program counselors are showing off some of the new and fun supplies they’ll be using during sessions with their kiddos!
We’re excited to bring even more creativity, connection, and support into our counseling sessions.
Pictured left to right: Natia Walsh, MSW, LCSW, Counseling Supervisor, Monica Ghule, LAC; Santa Giuliano, LAC; and Angelica Pentland, LAC.
Currently Serving 9 Schools 🏫
We’re hiring another counselor for the Pilot Program, which will allow us to expand our services to 3 additional schools this year!
That means more kiddos, more support, and more opportunities to make a difference. Amazing things are happening!
Our Pilot Program counselors are showing off some of the new and fun supplies they’ll be using during sessions with their kiddos!
We’re excited to bring even more creativity, connection, and support into our counseling sessions.
Pictured left to right: Natia Walsh, MSW, LCSW, Counseling Supervisor, Monica Ghule, LAC; Santa Giuliano, LAC; and Angelica Pentland, LAC.
Currently Serving 9 Schools 🏫
- 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
We’re hiring another counselor for the Pilot Program, which will allow us to expand our services to 3 additional schools this year!
That means more kiddos, more support, and more opportunities to make a difference. Amazing things are happening!
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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.
Walking Alongside Through Prayer
Mass for Mental Health & Prayer Intentions
Monday, September 14, 2026 | 12:00 Noon at Diocesan Pastoral Center Chapel
You’re Invited to Pray With Us
Join us each second Monday of the month for a special Mass dedicated to mental health and the well-being of individuals, families, and communities.
In partnership with the Pope's Worldwide Prayer Network, we come together in prayer for the Pope’s monthly prayer intention, as well as the mental health needs and intentions of our community.
Have a Prayer Intention? Whether you are praying for yourself, a loved one, healing, hope, strength, or greater access to mental health support, we invite you to share your intention with us.
Your prayer matters. Your intention matters. You are not alone.
Please click the button below to submit your mental health prayer intention and join us in creating a community rooted in prayer, compassion, and hope.
The Pope's Worldwide Prayer Network
September 2026 Prayer Intention
For The Care of Water.
As clean water refreshes and sustains the body, the living waters of the Gospel can refresh our parishes where every shared burden and connection becomes a source of spiritual support, especially for those of us living with mental health challenges.
Many people in our parishes who are facing mental health challenges feel isolated, parched and spiritually dry, drained of hope because of stigma.
To overcome the stigma that separates us we need to take Pope Leo’s words to heart and “bring the hope of the Gospel into the ‘waters’ of the world.”
We pray that our parishes offer welcome and understanding to those among us facing mental health challenges and are thirsting for spiritual healing and dignity.
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.
RESOURCES
Resource Links
Mental Health Counselors and Therapists List
MENTAL WELLNESS
WEBINAR & SEMINAR ALERT
Hidden Suffering: Understanding Loss, Grief & the Unseen Wounds
Clergy & Pastoral Ministry Leaders — You’re Invited!
Join us for an important and compassionate conversation designed to help pastoral leaders better understand and support individuals and families experiencing hidden or often-overlooked forms of grief and loss.
Thursday, September 10, 2026
Doors Open: 9:45 AM
Presentation: 10:00 AM–12:00 PM
Q&A + Light Refreshments: 12:00 PM
📍 Diocese of Phoenix Pastoral Center (Room 159A)
400 E. Monroe St., Phoenix, AZ 85004
Hosted By:
Springs in the Desert • We Carry You Still • Diocese of Phoenix NFP Office
Who Should Attend? Clergy and Pastoral Ministry Leaders
This seminar offers an opportunity to learn, reflect, and gain practical insight for accompanying those who may be carrying grief that is not always visible to others.
RSVP TODAY! Scan the QR code on the flyer or register online using the Microsoft Form: Register Here
Space is limited — we encourage you to RSVP in advance!
International Association of
Catholic Mental Health Ministers
MENTAL HEALTH MINISTRY
PHOTO GALLERY
August 2026 Quarterly Meeting
Thank you for your help!
The Well Commissioning
St. Mary and St. Juan Diego
St. William Parish
Our Lady of The Valley and St. Raphael Parish
Bishop John Dolan blessing each of the images of the woman in the Well
Evangelization, Education, and Spiritually
kickoff Mass
Mental Health First Aid Training for
Prison Chaplains
Mental Health First Aid Training
August 8, 2026, Crosier Community - 24 participants
August 29, 2026, St. Louis the King - Adult MHFA - Spanish Training
St. Dymphna, patron saint for those with a mental illness. Pray for us.
