National Catholic Mental Health Novena

We begin this Novena for Mental Health on October 10, World Mental Health Day. It is a time when people from many nations are seeking to raise awareness and remove the stigma around issues concerning mental health. We offer this Novena, and the prayer, reflection, and action it inspires in solidarity with those suffering from mental health challenges and the ongoing efforts of health care professionals, family, friends, and caring people in the days ahead. We recognize their efforts and respond with compassion for those who are suffering. The World Foundation of Mental Health identified the 2023 theme as ‘Mental health is a universal human right.’ We hope that this modest Novena will move all people to discern how God is calling them to offer assistance to those with mental health needs.

Each day of the Novena reflects on a theme related to mental health, or a particular population significantly affected by mental health challenges using a “Pray, Learn, Act” structure. The Novena is not meant to be exhaustive of the many dimensions of individuals impacted by the issue; rather, we pray it will offer nine initial entry points for people to prayerfully approach the topic of mental health. It is our sincere hope that the Novena will inspire more prayer, reflection, and creative action to address these great challenges of our time.