Mental Healthcare and Awareness Grades K-6 and Domestic Church

If you or someone you knows is living with mental illness counseling services may be available in your area from Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Dubuque. Find out more at: https://www.catholiccharitiesdubuque.org/catholic-charities-services/counseling-services/

 

We can all help prevent suicide. The Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals.

If you are someone you know needs assistance dial 1-800-273-8255 for assistance or go to suicidepreventionlifeline.org

 

Talk about Mental illness and mental health, helping children understand what it is using age appropriate language.

For children it might be helpful to explain that just like our bodies get sick with flu, chicken pox, cold, our brain and mental part of who we are can also get sick. When this happens we call it “mental illness”. Framing it in this way can help children better understand that mental illness is like being sick and that, just like being sick, there are treatments and hope for recovery. Since some mental illness is not “curable” but people with treatment can live long and fulfilling lives the comparison of mental illness to diabetes can be helpful.

 

Opening Prayer

Almighty and ever-living God, eternal health of believers,

hear our prayers for your servants who are sick:

grant them, we implore you, your merciful help,

so that, with their health restored,

they may give you thanks in the midst of your Church.

Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,

who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

one God, for ever and ever. Amen

(from the collect of prayers For Various Occasions, “For the Sick” ; Excerpts from the English translation of The Roman Missal © 2010, ICEL. All rights reserved.)

 

Scripture Reading – Twenty Third Sunday in Ordinary Time, First Reading Isaiah 35:4-7

Catechesis Video

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sKizUsgQayk

Grades K-6

  1. People who struggle with mental illness can often feel hopeless. Although these two things are not necessarily a cause of the other it is important to help people who struggle with mental illness to find hope in their lives. What are ways you can be hopeful in the classroom?
  2. Caring for the sick is a corporal work of mercy. Unfortunately, people who struggle with mental illness are often treated differently, unwelcome, bullied, or isolated. What are ways that your classroom can be more caring and welcoming of classmates who might be struggling?

Domestic Church (the family)

  1. People who struggle with mental illness can often feel hopeless. Although these two things are not necessarily a cause of the other it is important to help people who struggle with mental illness to find hope in their lives. What are ways you can be hopeful in your home? How might you share hope with one another?
  2. Caring for the sick is a corporal work of mercy. Unfortunately, people who struggle with mental illness are often treated differently, unwelcome, bullied, or isolated. What are ways that your classroom can be more caring and welcoming to a family member or friend who is struggling with their mental health?

Witness Video Reflection Questions

Younger children

Older children

Grades K-6

  1. What are feelings and in what ways do feelings make us feel sick?
  2. Why is it important to talk about our feelings?
  3. Paying attention to our feelings is just one part of keeping our brain healthy. Our brains are just like other parts of our body and sometimes it gets sick, we call that mental illness. Are there times when your feelings are hard to understand or control?
  4. What are things you can do to have a healthy brain?

Domestic Church (the Family)

  1. What are feelings and in what ways do feelings make us feel sick?
  2. Why is it important to talk about our feelings? Do you talk about feelings as a family?
  3. Paying attention to our feelings is just one part of keeping our brain healthy. Our brains are just like other parts of our body and sometimes it gets sick, we call that mental illness. Are there times when your feelings are hard to understand or control?
  4. What are things you can do to have a healthy brain?

Action Steps

 

Grades K-6

  1. Come up with classroom practices that make it okay for students to share their feelings with one another or a teacher/adult.
  2. Talk about ways that your classroom can be a safe space for students who live with mental illness or have family/friends who have a mental illness.
  3. Prohibit language in the classroom that might stigmatize people with mental illness (ie no use of words like “crazy”, “psycho”,  or “nuts” among others)

Domestic Church (the family)

  1. Practice as a family sharing your feelings with one another and supporting each other
  2. Talk as a family about taking care of one another and showing everyone that they can come to one another when they don’t feel good.
  3. If someone in your family or a friend lives with a mental illness, develop ways to help support them when their illness seems overwhelming or causes additional challenges.

Closing Prayer

O God, only support of our human weakness,

show the power of your protection

over your servants who are sick,

that, sustained by your merciful help,

they may be restored to your holy Church in good health.

Through Christ our Lord.

Amen

(from the prayer after communion For Various Occasions, “For the Sick” ; Excerpts from the English translation of The Roman Missal © 2010, ICEL. All rights reserved.)