Catholic Mental Health Ministry Launches Empowering Initiatives in Jharkhand

RANCHI, Jharkhand, 20 Sept. 2025: The Catholic Mental Health Ministry (CMHM), India’s largest Catholic mental health ministry, organised a two-day workshop in Ranchi on 16–17 September to address growing mental health issues within the Catholic community. Held at the Little Way Spirituality Centre, the programme trained Catholic sisters to equip themselves and others with coping skills and resilience. These sisters are now prepared to serve individuals in parishes, students in schools, and religious in convents.

Inaugurating the workshop, Fr. Mathew Azhakath, OCD, Regional Superior of the Carmelite Fathers in Ranchi, emphasised the importance of mental health literacy from the initial stages of religious formation. In his address, he highlighted the Church’s compassionate response to mental health challenges and the need to break the associated stigma.

Expert presentations from the St. Dymphna National Institute of Wellness covered topics including holistic well-being and spirituality, self-care for religious life, and well-being in the Bible. Sr. Joan Chunkapura, MMS, the National Secretary of CMHM and Director of the St. Dymphna National Institute of Wellness, presented on self-care in religious life, while Fr. Augustine, Director of AVP, shared a paper on the importance of love for scripture in religious life.

The training benefited religious from the Ranchi region by equipping them to launch a mental health ministry in the area. Fr. George Athickal, OCD, was elected as the regional coordinator for the Catholic Mental Health Ministry in Jharkhand.

The Catholic Mental Health Ministry (CMHM) in India, operating in partnership with the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI) Office for Healthcare, is the country’s largest Catholic mental health ministry. It focuses on pastoral support, education, and advocacy for families, children, youth, the elderly, priests, and religious facing mental health challenges. CMHM is dedicated to promoting mental wellness, providing compassionate accompaniment, and breaking the stigma surrounding mental health within the Catholic community.

Catholic Mental Health Ministry Launches Empowering Initiatives in Jharkhand

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