Through our Counseling Services program at Catholic Charities of Central Texas (CCCTX), we make it a priority to offer affordable, quality mental health care for those who may not otherwise have access to this necessary support. We believe mental healthcare is an essential part of caring for the whole person in body, mind and spirit.

In reflecting upon the importance of mental health, I spoke with Brook Teoli-Phelps, who has served as one of our counselors at CCCTX for four years. Brook shared that across our diocese, she is seeing an increase in the number of individuals reaching out for help with grief, anxiety and, heartbreakingly, coping with the loss of loved ones who died by suicide.

One consistent theme Brook sees is that many people wait too long before seeking help. By the time they reach out, they have often been carrying their struggles in silence for months or even years. But when people are given the opportunity to share the emotions they have buried and receive compassionate care, they can finally begin their journey toward healing.

“At some point or another, we all go through a difficult season,” Brook said. “There should never be shame in asking for help.”

Our faith calls us to accompaniment — to draw near, to notice, and to walk beside those who are carrying more than they can bear alone. When we choose presence over avoidance, we share God’s love with those who need it most.

At CCCTX, accompaniment takes concrete form in everyday moments of care. It looks like a counselor offering a child a safe and confidential space for healing. It looks like connecting a struggling mother to both postpartum mental healthcare and practical family support. It looks like helping a veteran remain safely housed while also addressing the trauma carried home from military service.

Every year, the demand for support from our Counseling Services program grows. The people who are reaching out to us are not strangers. They are our neighbors, our family members, our fellow parishioners and our friends. These challenges are not far away or abstract. They are right here in our own backyard.

In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, I invite you to practice accompaniment in a simple but meaningful way: check in on one person in your life. Ask how they are doing and then ask them how they are really doing. Listen deeply when a child shares they had a hard day and reassure them of your love and support. Sit patiently when someone entrusts you with their vulnerability. These small, intentional acts of presence can remind someone that they are not alone, and that their life and dignity matter.

In simple but powerful ways, together we can build a community where seeking help is met with compassion, where dignity is upheld and where healing is within reach for all.

For more information about what is offered at Catholic Charities of Central Texas, visit ccctx.org or call (512) 651-6100.