Phoenix (3TV/CBS 5) — Amid rising suicides and rising depression, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix is ​​creating a Department of Mental Health.

Bishop John Dolan said his brother has long struggled with mental illness. He also lost his brother and sister to suicide. “In the ’70s, nobody talked about suicide,” said Bishop Dolan.

He explained that he was in eighth grade when his brother Tom committed suicide. you just fill it in. You just walk with it,” he said.

A few years later, while he was in seminary, his sister Therese committed suicide. He said that when her husband learned of her death, he also committed suicide. “The church was there in the first way.

he wants to change that. However, he admits that it took him a long time to come to terms with all of it, and it required a lot of reflection, research, and counseling.

During his work in San Diego, he met people facing similar challenges. That’s why he started the Department of Mental Health in the Phoenix Parish. “We are not here to diagnose, prescribe or cure. We are just here to let people know they are loved. So the whole process is about love, not therapy,” he explained.

As part of this, priests and deacons undergo additional training. In addition, at least 15 churches within the parish also offer support groups.

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix held its first mass for those who died by suicide earlier this month. They planned to read the name, but it quickly grew from 100 to over 1000. “They won’t be forgotten just because they displayed an element of anarchy,” said Bishop Dolan.

He hopes that by sharing his story, he can encourage others. I was able to let you know.

The parish plans to cut the ribbon for the new office in December. It’s supposed to open in January.

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