The Catholic Morning Show

How to Help Someone Struggling with Mental Health: 3 Catholic Ways to Accompany - John Gaffney - 10/07/2026

Episode Summary

John Gaffney, Director of Evangelization and Mission for the Diocese of Des Moines, shares three practical ways Catholics can accompany friends and family struggling with their mental health. Inspired by Pope Leo XIV's October prayer intention for mental health ministry, John explains why listening, honoring the hurt, and taking the next faithful step matter more than rushing to fix someone. He also opens up about his own experience of being accompanied and points listeners to the diocese's Catholic mental health resources.

Episode Notes

When someone we love is struggling, we often don't know what to say, or we jump straight to fixing the problem. John Gaffney, Director of Evangelization and Mission for the Diocese of Des Moines, joins Deacon Mark Campbell to explore how the Catholic faith equips us to simply walk with people through painful seasons. The conversation follows Pope Leo XIV's October 2026 prayer intention that mental health ministry be established throughout the Church and help overcome stigma.

John's three ideas for accompaniment:

  1. Listen first. Let the person share their whole story without interrupting or "hijacking" it with your own. Ask gentle questions, like "What's the hardest part right now?", and thank them for being vulnerable.
  2. Honor the hurt. Struggles with sleep, isolation, fear, or shame are not a sign of weak character or weak faith. Walk with the person reverently, without judging or rushing them.
  3. Take the next faithful step. Hope doesn't require having the whole story figured out. Help the person discern the next best step, which often means connecting with a mental health professional.

John also shares how a coworker noticed he wasn't himself last December and reached out in love. He encourages listeners to start with prayer, pay attention to the people around them, and connect those who are struggling with a priest, deacon, or Catholic counselor. This segment is not a substitute for professional mental health care.

Find faith-based resources, guidance on finding a provider, and information on the diocese's Catholic counselor referral list at the Diocese of Des Moines Mental Health Ministry page. If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988.

Heard on the Catholic Morning Show, weekdays at 7 a.m. Central on Iowa Catholic Radio. More at IowaCatholicRadio.com.

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