By Jon Perez, Catholic Saskatoon News
This fall, Holy Spirit Parish in Saskatoon hosted a second session of the Sanctuary Courses for Catholics, a program which promotes mental health awareness. The course aims to start more engaging conversations about mental health, in order to create stronger and more supportive communities.
Mental health advocate Ian Rana led the course, working with Kelly Wormsbecker, coordinator of Ministry of Care for the parish. The four-part course was first held May 31 – June 14, and again this September.
The initiative to hold the Sanctuary Course in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon came after intense personal and communal reflection.
Rana said that he originally found a new purpose in addressing the often-overlooked aspects of mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The pandemic underscored that human health is not just physical but deeply intertwined with mental health. This realization fueled my drive to support mental health advocacy through structured programs,” said Rana.
Rana organized several mental health awareness sessions in 2022, including two at Holy Spirit Parish. These sessions revealed the need to address mental health more broadly, and that’s when the Sanctuary Course for Catholics, a program designed by Sanctuary Mental Health Ministries, was highlighted.
During a 2023 Fall Congress Day in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon, Sanctuary was introduced to leaders from across the diocese, including pastor Fr. Joseph Salihu and Ministry of Care Coordinator Wormsbecker of Holy Spirit Parish.
The guest speaker at last year’s Fall Congress, Bryana Russell, highlighted the Sanctuary Course for Catholics in a presentation entitled “The Lord Heals the Broken-Hearted and Saves the Crushed in Spirit,” inspired by Psalm 34:18. She encouraged parishes, pastors, and all the baptized to see mental health and well-being as an essential part of pastoral care for the Church.
RELATED: List of Mental Health & Wellness Resources – distributed at 2023 Fall Congress – LINK
The Sanctuary Course for Catholics is a comprehensive program addressing crucial topics such as mental health, mental illness, stigma, recovery, companionship, self-care, and community. It aims to equip parishes to better support mental health and well-being.
“When Kelly asked me to get involved as a facilitator, I didn’t hesitate. The course is timely and crucial for our community, and it’s already structured for us; we need to facilitate it,” said Rana.
Rana said that organizers want to expand the program to other parishes, creating a broader support network. Pastoral support, dedicated facilitators, and community engagement are essential for the Sanctuary Course to be held in different parishes in the diocese, he said
He added that the endorsement and support of parish pastors are critical since they ensure that mental health initiatives are prioritized and integrated into parish life.
Effective facilitators who are passionate about mental health must lead the discussions and guide participants through the course, Rana added. Increasing awareness and fostering conversations about mental health can break down stigmas and encourage individuals to seek help.
Rana said the Sanctuary Course for Catholics is a significant step toward making mental health a central topic in parishes. The course aims to create a more understanding and supportive community by fostering open conversations and providing structured support.
“The more parishes that offer this course, the more we can normalize mental health discussions. We aim to build a network where mental health is openly addressed, and individuals feel empowered to seek the help they need,” he added.
The Sanctuary Course for Catholics was created to raise awareness and start conversations about mental health in local parishes. For more information, visit sanctuarymentalhealth.org
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Reporter Jon Perez is a parishioner at the Cathedral of the Holy Family, Saskatoon.