Suor Alessandra Smerilli releases message on World Mental Health Day

Sister Alessandra Smerilli, prefect of the Dicastery for the Service of Integral Human Development, issued a message for World Mental Health Day calling for the Church to provide stable ministry to support the psychological well-being of individuals.

In her message, Smerilli identified mental health care as a pastoral priority and a necessary component of integral human development. She noted that local churches often serve as places where people seek support and listening during times of psychological vulnerability. Smerilli highlighted two specific groups requiring urgent attention: young people facing modern uncertainty and those experiencing humanitarian crises, such as war, forced migration, political instability, environmental disasters, and structural poverty. She stated that these situations cause deep trauma by removing the security, relationships, and hope necessary for stability.