Catholics Not immune From Mental Illness

LONDON, JULY 4, 2008 (Zenit.org).- Mental illness can happen to anyone, even good Catholics, the bishops of England and Wales are reminding the faithful there this weekend.

Mental health is the theme of this year's Day for Life, to be celebrated in the dioceses of England and Wales on Sunday.

The event is celebrated yearly by the Catholic Church in Ireland, Scotland and England and Wales as a day dedicated to raising awareness about the meaning and value of life at every stage and in every condition. Scotland observed the Day for Life on May 31, and Ireland will observe it Oct. 5.

"Mental ill-health can happen to anyone -- 1 in 4 people will experience a mental health problem at some stage in their life," reads the parish material for the event. "The person in your parish community who may be suffering today is the young mom with post-natal depression, the local businessman with stress, your own parish priest, the man who has recently lost his wife to cancer or the young person who has lost faith in life, as well as someone with an obvious, severe and enduring mental illness."

Bishop Elio Sgreccia, retired president of the Pontifical Academy for Life, sent a letter to the organizers welcoming the theme chosen for this year's Day for Life: "Mental health problems touch the lives of so many people -- those who suffer need our understanding and our acceptance.

"Day for Life 2008 will help raise awareness of the needs of those affected, their friends, family and careers and offer the support that the parish community can bring."