International Association of Catholic Mental Health Ministers releases online courses

The International Association of Catholic Mental Health Ministers has released two free online video courses to help lay Catholics recognize mental health struggles and support those seeking help. Members of the association presented the resources on October 10 at Vatican News headquarters during an international meeting in Rome titled "A Healing Presence: The Church’s Call to Mental Health Ministry."

The first course provides over one hour of instruction on mental health literacy. It teaches participants to identify signs and symptoms of common mental illnesses, including depression, bipolar disorder, addiction, and trauma.

The second course, which lasts two hours, covers psychological first aid. Deacon Ed Shoener, the founder and president of the association, said the training functions similarly to physical first aid by teaching people how to approach, assist, and accompany those who are hurting or in trouble.