"Despite its ubiquity, mental illness and mental health challenges often remain associated with embarrassment, shame, or guilt, which can prevent people from seeking and receiving help. Such a stigma contradicts the compassion of Jesus and is contrary to the foundation of Catholic Social Teaching. As pastors, we want to emphasize this point to anyone who is suffering from mental illness or facing mental health challenges: nobody and nothing can alter or diminish your God-given dignity. You are a beloved child of God, a God of healing and hope." - Excerpt from National Catholic Mental Health Campaign Introductory Statement written by Archbishop Borys Gudziak, Chairman, USCCB Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development and Bishop Robert Barron, Chairman, USCCB Committee on Laity, Marriage, Family Life
and Youth