Bishop John Dolin of the Diocese of Phoenix grew up in a large family that has suffered immense tragedy. Three of his beloved siblings and one brother-in-law committed suicide. The good Bishop shares his humble heart regarding these tragic passings. He then outlines the first-ever comprehensive mental health initiative in any diocese in America.

23.08% of adults experienced a mental illness in the past year, equivalent to nearly 60 million Americans. 5.86% experienced a severe mental illness. The state prevalence of adult mental illness ranges from 19.38% in New Jersey to 29.19% in Utah.

According to SAMHSA, “Any Mental Illness (AMI) aligns with Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edition criteria and is defined as having a diagnosable mental, behavioral, or emotional disorder, other than a developmental or substance use disorder. These estimates are based on indicators of AMI rather than direct measures of diagnostic status.” - MENTAL HEALTH AMERICA

As a Church, we recognize that mental health is a critical component of our overall health and wellbeing. The Office of Mental Health Ministry seeks to accompany those with mental health needs in our parish and school communities in a Catholic, sustainable, ethical, and meaningful way. The focus of this ministry is education, accompaniment, and advocacy. – DIOCESE OF PHOENIX