The nation's Catholic bishops have launched a new effort to more closely engage the faithful in addressing the issue of mental health, particularly at the local level. In a Sept. 16 press release, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops announced its "Healing and Hope" initiative as a "new component" of the USCCB's National Catholic Mental Health Campaign. Parishes are being encouraged to "raise awareness of mental health" by observing "Mental Health Sunday" and praying at Masses during the Oct. 11-12 weekend, which follows World Mental Health Day on Oct. 10. Close to 60 million U.S. adults, or one in five, experienced mental illness in 2021, with more than 14 million of them reporting a serious condition and well over 19 million battling both substance abuse and mental illness concurrently, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness. Those experiencing a mental health crisis can call 911 or call or text 988, the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, which also offers support in Spanish.