Fr. Ben Landrigan: A Catholic School Counseling Testimony

As a priest, I am constantly aware of the mental health needs of those whom I serve. When Dr. Melanie Williams hosted a Mental Health First Aid training for pastors, I immediately signed up, knowing its vast importance. Not only did I learn how to compassionately respond to a parishioner in need, but I also learned to see the signs of a mental health crisis.

When Catholic Charities' Associate Clinical Director of the West Region,  Mukhabbat Yusupova, offered to provide Spanish and English faith-based counselors at Our Lady of Hungary School, I knew this was something we really wanted at our school. The partnership has been a huge blessing! It has given students the chance to pair their faith with healthy coping mechanisms during challenging situations. Having a counselor in the building also gives teachers extra resources when challenging behavior arises in classrooms.

Thank you to all the donors of Hope to Healing.

Your generosity has not only benefited our school students and staff, but will also help 16 other diocesan schools next year receive the gift of trained, faith-based mental health professionals.