April 6, 2018 at 1:53 p.m.
DIOCESAN EFFORT
'13 Reasons Why' TV series sparks creation of mental health committee
'13 Reasons Why' TV series sparks creation of mental health committee
The TV series graphically portrays the suicide of a fictional teenager and the factors that led to it, including sexual assault. When the show aired in the spring, it raised questions from young people and concerns from parents, who worried that struggling teens who watched the show might be triggered to emulate suicidal behaviors.
Coincidentally, the Diocese's annual Spring Enrichment gathering was happening around the same time. Spring Enrichment is a series of courses, workshops and keynote talks on aspects of faith that draws many parish youth ministers, faith formation staff, teachers and others who work with young Catholics.
The number of comments and questions about the TV series from Spring Enrichment attendees made it clear that resources around mental health were needed in the Diocese, said Grace Fay, who organized the new committee.
Ms. Fay, the pastoral associate for youth ministry at Our Lady of Grace parish in Ballston Lake and St. Joseph's in Scotia, told The Evangelist that the "13 Reasons Why" series "showed the struggles of a normal high school student, but didn't show the resources that are out there. It made the adults look rather goofy."
Area parishes, schools and college campuses can offer more than that, she thought; so she contacted diocesan officials and others, who all agreed to serve on the mental health awareness committee.
Along with Ms. Fay, members of the committee include:
• Cathy Reid, diocesan director of campus ministry;
• David Stagliano, diocesan associate director of campus ministry and youth ministry;
• Rev. Thomas Konopka, director of the diocesan Consultation Center in Albany, which offers mental health services;
• Rev. Robert Longobucco, diocesan vicar for Catholic faith formation and education and pastor of St. Kateri Tekakwitha parish in Schenectady; and
• Brian Evers, diocesan associate director of safe environment, who runs the Virtus program to train parish and diocesan staff and volunteers about abuse awareness and prevention.
The committee's goal is to de-stigmatize issues around mental health for parishes and families across the Diocese, Ms. Fay said.
"Mental health is something that effects everyone, regardless of age or background," she stated. Particularly when young people are struggling, "we need to establish the Church as a safe place for them to come and express what they are feeling."
Ms. Fay cautioned that parish staff are not trained to treat mental health issues themselves, but should be able to connect people with the help they need.
October is Respect Life Month. Since mental health is a life issue, said Ms. Fay, Bishop Edward B. Scharfenberger plans to focus one of his weekly columns in The Evangelist that month on mental health education and awareness.
During Respect Life Month, the committee will also provide resources for parishes, schools and college campuses on services available for people who are struggling. Other outreach efforts are still being discussed.
Ms. Fay quoted Father Longobucco, who told her when the mental health awareness committee was forming: "We as a Church need to take care of our own people. We need to know who they can talk to and how to get them the resources they need."
(For counseling services and educational programs, contact the Consultation Center in Albany at 518-489-4431 or [email protected]. Contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.)[[In-content Ad]]
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