ROCKFORD—During the month of September, which is National Suicide Prevention Month, Catholic Charities will provide educational materials and prayer guides to encourage knowledge of and healing from mental health crises. 

 

Mental Health First Aid

 

Catholic Charities will sponsor a Mental Health First Aid course on Sept. 10, 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m., at Fellowship Hall on the campus of the Cathedral of St. Peter, 1243 N. Church St. 

 

The course will teach participants how to reach out to those struggling with mental illness, provide them with initial support, and then connect them to appropriate care. 

 

The course is open to 30 participants and will include two hours of online work before the six hours of in-person training. Lunch is included. Register by Sept. 1 by calling or emailing Mary Fuller, Mental Health Ministry Coordinator for the Diocese of Rockford. 

 

Living rosary

 

During September, Catholic Charities invites parishes in the diocese to hold a Living Rosary for Suicide Prevention event to pray for those contemplating suicide, those who have died by suicide and those who are grieving losses to suicide. 

 

Contact Mary Fuller for a free living rosary kit. The kit includes an editable bulletin notice, rosary prayers and holy cards. 

 

Info: Mary Fuller, cmhm@rockforddiocese.org, 815-520-7549