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Emmaus Groups Encounter Divine Love and Freedom Through Self-Determination
By Deacon Eric Gurash Mental health challenges often leave individuals feeling trapped—by circumstances, stigma, or internal struggles. Amid our family’s and my own personal struggles with mental health, it was commonplace to feel as though we had no choice, no place to turn, and that the direction of our lives or even just the course
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Strength in Faith: Biblical Wisdom and Strength-Based Peer Support
by Deacon Eric Gurash This article is part of an ongoing series discussing the core values of peer support within a faith-based framework. In the journey of mental health and addiction recovery, core values play a pivotal role in fostering healing and resilience. One such core value is being strength-based, which focuses on recognizing and
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Mutuality and Reciprocal Healing
by Deacon Eric Gurash This article is part of an ongoing series discussing the core values of peer support within a faith-based framework. As with many of the pieces presented, the hope is to illustrate how secular approaches to mental health care and support resonate with and are enriched by the practices and teachings of
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Spiritual Peer Support Breaks Stigma, Preserves Dignity Through Acknowledgment
by Deacon Eric Gurash In the effort to provide hope and wholeness for individuals living with mental health challenges and for those who support them, several core values help to guide the work of peer support. Spiritual Peer Support seeks to uphold and integrate these core values in its efforts to foster spaces of empathy
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Building Resiliency and Finding Grace in the Dark
By Deacon Eric Gurash It can be a challenge to be aware of God’s presence, activity, and nearness, even on our best days. For those grappling with a mental health challenge, whether it’s an acute, situational issue or a chronic, long-term condition, confidence in God’s nearness and care can be fleeting. Feelings of isolation and
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On Hope and Healing: The Bishops of California Speak About Mental Health
In May of 2018, the Catholic Bishops Conference of California published a pastoral letter on caring for those who mental health challenges. Addressed to “all Catholics and people of good will,” the letter seeks to highlight the need to develop communities of care and support both within the church and within society as a whole.
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A Reason for Hope
by Deacon Eric Gurash For many Christians, the Christmas season provides an exciting climax to the time of eager anticipation that is Advent. It is a period when the Christian faith having resonated deeply with the call to prepare for the birth of Jesus Christ, now rejoices in receiving the Messiah anew and in the
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Communities of Care: Catholic Teachings Shape Mental Health Peer Support
The theological underpinnings and social teachings of our Catholic faith offer robust frameworks for addressing mental health needs within our communities. These principles, deeply rooted in our understanding of the dignity of the human person and Catholic spiritual wisdom, provide a solid foundation for novel approaches that combine Catholic values with the evolving movement towards
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Mental Health in the Bible: Learning from Leah, Hannah, Jeremiah, and Naomi
Following up on a previous examination of biblical figures and mental health, this month we look at four more well-known figures whose faith helped them to navigate a variety of challenging mental health experiences.
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Message from the Permanent Council to the Catholic Faithful on Permitting Persons living with Mental Illness to Access Euthanasia/Assisted Suicide
The Permanent Council of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) has released a message to the Catholic faithful regarding the expansion of eligibility criteria for euthanasia and assisted suicide (MAiD) to include individuals with a sole medical condition of mental illness. In the message, the CCCB expresses concern about the harmful effects of euthanasia
Emmaus Support’s Faith and Mental Health page features stories and articles that illuminate the intersection of spirituality, faith practices, and mental health supports. Here you will discover how these powerful combinations foster resilience, enhance coping skills, and transform the lives of individuals grappling with mental health challenges, as well as the family members and loved ones who walk with them. Join us on this journey of hope and healing as we shed light on the impact of faith in the realm of mental health.
Be a Gentle Presence in Someone’s Storm: Mental Health First Aid
Our Emmaus Companions newsletter helps to maintain contact with other caregivers, resources, and inspiration for the road ahead.
Emmaus Support Mental Health Ministries 