Mental Health Ministry

The Archdiocesan Mental Health Ministry is pleased to offer Sister Hope to the
                               people of the Archdiocese (instructions below)                               ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
El Ministerio de Salud Mental de la Arquidiócesis de San Francisco se complace en ofrecer SISTER HOPE, un programa que se ofrece a las personas que necesitan apoyo emocional en la Arquidiócesis (direcciones abajo)

 

What is Sister Hope?     Sr Hope is a ‘chatbot’ – it is an AI (artificial intelligence)-driven response to text messages from anyone experiencing anxiety and depression, especially given the additional stress and isolation imposed by Covid.  It will respond to text messages, and offer suggestions and positive feedback, and help you think of ways to improve your situation.  Sister Hope is a new ‘religious’ version of a program that has already been in use - in a secular version - by millions of people.  

How do I get access to Sister Hope?  There are two ways:
1.  Text   1-478-999-1080        - or  - 
2.  Go to Facebook, search for @SisterHopeSF, and select the icon that looks like a nun

What do I do/ next?
Text or message Sister Hope with “Hi”.  Then follow the prompts.  She will ask you some basic information (your name, man or woman, etc) then a few questions to see what is going on with you at the moment.

Is it private? Secure?    Sister Hope will match any information you give her with your unique phone number or Facebook user id.  Your communication with Sister Hope is completely private and HIPAA compliant.
How do I end a session with Sister Hope when I’m done?    Just text or enter “Bye” to her.
How do I start a new session?   Text or enter “hi” to start again.
How do I remove myself from Sister Hope?   Simply text "unsubscribe" or "opt out."  (You can access it again later by following the steps above.)

What if I have more questions?    
Email Dick Collyer at CollyerR@SFArch.org  or Ed Hopfner at HopfnerE@SFArch.org

NOTE - Sister Hope is for use by adults (18 years or older) only.
+ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- +

QUE ES SISTER HOPE?
Sister Hope es un "Chatbot", un robot que responde por medio de "inteligencia artificial" a los mensajes de texto enviados por las personas que sufren de ansiedad y depresión, y tienen necesidad de comunicarse con alguien, especialmente por los problemas que confrontan en sus vidas sumados al estrés y el aislamiento causados por COVID-19.   Sister Hope responde a las personas con mensajes de texto, y ofrece sugerencias y una respuesta positiva que les ayude  a considerar diferentes formas de como mejorar su situación.  Sister Hope es una nueva versión "religiosa" del programa que ya esta siendo utilizado - en una forma secular - por millones de personas.

COMO PUEDO TENER ACCESO CON SISTER HOPE?
Hay dos formas de tener acceso a este programa:

1.  Por texto:  1-478-999-1080   --  o  --
2.  Por medio de Facebook:  buscar en @SisterHopeSF y seleccionar la figura de una monja que aparece en la pagina.

CUAL ES EL SIGUIENTE PASO A SEGUIR?
Envie el texto o mensaje a Sister Hope con un "Hola" y continúe.  Ella les preguntara una información básica, (su nombre, si es hombre o mujer, etc.), y luego les hará unas preguntas para ver que esta pasando en sus vidas en ese momento. 

ES SISTER HOPE UN SERVICIO PRIVADO Y  SEGURO?
Sister Hope compara las respuestas dadas por las personas con su único número privado de teléfono, o por su identificación privada de Facebook.  Su comunicación con Sister Hope es completamente privada y cumple totalmente con la seguridad del HIPAA.
COMO TERMINO LA SESION CON SISTER HOPE?
Solo envie el texto a Sister Hope con la palabra “Adios”
COMO EMPIEZO UNA NUEVA SESION CON SISTER HOPE?
Envie el texto o entre la palabra "Hola" para empezar otra vez la sesión.
COMO SALIR de SISTER HOPE?  Solamente envie un texto que dice "opt out" o "unsubscribe."
(Puede accesar otra vez mas tarde por medio de los instrucciones arriba.)

QUE HAGO SI TENGO MAS PREGUNTAS?
Si tiene mas preguntas o dudas, envie un correo electrónico a Dick Collyer:  CollyerR@SFArch.org, , o  Ed Hopfner:  HopfnerE@SFArch.org

Tenga en cuenta - Sister Hope es para uso exclusivo de adultos (mayores de 18 años).

Msgr. John Talesfore reports on the Mental Health Ministry pilot programs at St. Matthew's in San Mateo and Our Lady of Angels in Burlingame. May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and these programs, he says, provide meaningful outreach. "It can be so simple amid stress and fear":

ARTICLE:   parish ministry: trained volunteers who listen and care

The coronavirus and the global spread of COVID-19 disease have had an unprecedented effect on all our lives, and the stress and anxiety can take a toll on health both physical and mental:

ARTICLE:   "How prayer can help defeat anxiety"

"When mental illness crept into my life, I slowly stopped turning to the saints for help...."  There are patron saints for many needs. Whom can we call on for spiritual support with this?

ARTICLE:   "mental illness: Five patron saints to invoke"

Parishes with a Mental Health Ministry

More information:

A PASTORAL LETTER FROM THE BISHOPS
OF CALIFORNIA ON CARING FOR THOSE
WHO SUFFER FROM MENTAL ILLNESS
ADDRESSED TO ALL CATHOLICS AND
PEOPLE OF GOODWILL

"As pastors and bishops, we understand that mental health is a critical component of wellbeing.
Therefore, ministering to those who suffer from mental illness is an essential part of the pastoral
care of the Church...."
Read here the California Catholic Bishops' groundbreaking pastoral letter, released on May 2, 2018:

Hope and Healing   (English PDF)
Hope and Healing   (Spanish PDF)
Hope and Healing   (Vietnamese PDF)


Note to those using eTherapyFinder.com :
As a consequence of California AB 5, eTherapyFinder has had to cease operations.
We sincerely regret this, and hope the legislature will some day reverse or amend the law
so we can continue in operation. 

"I believe this document is a unique contribution toward overcoming unjust stigma around mental health. It's the first document from American bishops, that I am aware of, that addresses this issue directly."  Dr. Aaron Kheriarty, associate professor of Psychiatry at UC Irvine School of Medicine, is director of the Medical Ethics Program at UC Irvine Health, and author of The Catholic Guide to Depression: How the Saints, Sacraments, and Psychiatry Can Help You Break Its Grip and Find Happiness Again.  Read his response to the California Catholic bishops' pastoral letter in this exclusive interview with Valerie Schmalz, director of the Archdiocesan Office of Human Life and Dignity.

Are you in crisis?     
Do you know someone who is ?

Call the toll-free National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (NSPL) at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The service is available to everyone. The deaf and hard of hearing can contact the Lifeline via TTY at 1-800-799-4889. All calls are confidential. Contact social media outlets directly if you are concerned about a friend’s social media updates or dial 911 in an emergency.  Learn more on the NSPL’s website.