CBCP President Archbishop Gilderoy Garcera (in black), and Zamboanga Archbishop Julius Tonel discuss the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines’ new pastoral exhortation on mental health, which calls for greater compassion, accompaniment, and stronger community support for people struggling with mental health issues. — Photo by Leah D. Agonoy
SINACABAN, Misamis Occidental — The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) on Friday (July 10) issued a pastoral exhortation on mental health, calling on Catholics, communities, and institutions to respond with compassion, accompaniment, and stronger support systems to those who are struggling.
CBCP president Archbishop Gilderoy Garcera said the document was the product of prayer and discernment, crafted to help address the growing mental health challenges confronting Filipino families and communities.
“This would answer many challenges — in families, Basic Ecclesial Communities, and even government offices. Many do not know where to go, whom to talk to, or who will guide them. That is why we prepared this guideline, especially in view of suicide and mental health struggles,” Garcera said at a press conference here.
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