Testimony: Diocesan Mental Health Ministry
When a young mother attended the Holy Family Support Ministry meeting, it confirmed to ministry members that God puts us where we need to be.
She was very quiet, and when it was her turn to share, a ministry team member mentioned they recognized her and asked if she knew their daughter. The young mother said, “I know your daughter; she saved my life.”
Holy Family Ministry Team (L-R) Bryttenny Sands, Paulette Davis, Mary DeRuntz, Jessica Armacost, Juan Andrade, Leslie Piazza, and Mike Secrest.
The Diocesan Mental Health Ministry team at Sacred Heart Warsaw was instantly struck with a goosebump moment. They could see God’s hand at work.
When Dr. Melanie Williams, Director of Diocesan Mental Health Ministries, first approached the parish about beginning this non-clinical ministry, volunteers enthusiastically stepped up.
“We are blessed at Sacred Heart to have a pastor who recognizes the importance of parishioners helping other parishioners with the invisible load life brings us,” shared Paulette Davis, a member of the Holy Family Ministry team. “I think much of our initial success was because Fr. Jonathan’s public support at church.”
With five people on the team, the ministry began its formation with Dr. Williams a year before launching parish meetings in November 2025.
“Our team is mostly made up of individuals without a clinical background, but have experienced some sort of grief,” said Davis. “Dr. Williams provided resources and Mental Health First Aid training so we knew how to provide non-clinical, but compassionate, faith-based support."
Each individual had to study and pass a test to be certified.
"I feel the Holy Spirit has often guided the conversations that make use of a team member’s past experiences and allows them to accompany others on a similar journey," reflected Davis.
Aware of the stigma that still surrounds this topic, the group intentionally omitted “mental health” from the ministry’s name.
“Every family has its struggles,” said Davis. “Struggles are a normal part of the human experience, but that doesn’t mean every family has to walk alone. As Catholics, we are meant to live as a community in Christ, leaning on our faith during challenging moments. As a group, we talk, discern, and reflect on grief and trauma through our Catholic lens – just like the Holy Family.”
“The process of starting the ministry can seem daunting, but put faith in God,” Davis advised. “Our parish is small, but because of our geography, this type of ministry is needed even more. Regardless of parish size, I would recommend every parish prayerfully discern starting a ministry with Catholic Charities that fits their community’s needs.”
Mental Health First Aid Training
Like learning CPR, knowing how to respond to a mental health crisis can mean life or death. Led by a trained counseling team member, Catholic Charities can provide your parish or group with mental health first aid training that equips individuals with essential skills to identify, understand, and respond compassionately to signs of mental health challenges and crises. Learn more by emailing Jessica Gervais at jgervais@ccfwsb.org.