The Archdiocese of San Francisco’s Mental Health Ministry is a compassionate initiative dedicated to supporting individuals and families facing mental health challenges. Recognizing the profound impact of mental well-being on spiritual and communal life, the ministry offers a range of resources and programs aimed at fostering healing, understanding, and hope.

Through parish-based support, trained volunteers provide listening, prayer, and guidance, creating safe spaces for open conversations about mental health. The ministry collaborates with local organizations, such as the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), to connect individuals with professional assistance and community support networks.

In addition to direct support, the ministry offers educational materials, helplines, and referrals to counseling services, ensuring that those in need have access to comprehensive care. By integrating faith and mental health, the Archdiocese strives to break the stigma surrounding mental illness and promote a message of compassion and solidarity.

For more information and to explore available resources, please visit the Archdiocese’s Mental Health Ministry page

The loss of someone we held dear is a painful process that takes time and rearranges our entire life and its former priorities. Though others may walk with us listening to our story the journey through grief is a singular one in which God leads us into a new way of living without the one we cherished. 
Learning to “heart walk” with the person no longer at our side takes time and energy.

BUT God walks within us and carries us in love until we are ready to live again in new ways. Faith-Hope-and Love are the stepping stones; courage to make the journey allows me to step softly and then with conviction as healing begins.  Each parish is ready to assist you.

The list below represents those known for a particular grief outreach.
Those with a* have small group assistance.
Others have one on one support to assist you.   

 –Check the San Francisco Catholic to see additional offerings.

Once a month at Holy Cross Cemetery there is a Mass for all those who have died
whether or not they are buried at Holy Cross.
We are aware many of you are unable to go home to celebrate the death of a loved one. 
We invite you to bring your family and pray with us at Holy Cross and in your local parish.

Finally: Be grateful for the life of the person you will never forget

Grief Support Group

Many parishes have grief support groups – check their bulletin or with the parish office.

Monthly Grief

Support Programs

 

St Mary’s Cathedral – Strength for the Journey

Monthly Support Group for People with Life-Threatening Illnesses

 1st Fridays   1:00 – 3:00pm  .
This ministry offers spiritual support for people with life threatening illnesses.
Diagnosis of such an illness can provide an opportunity
to seek spiritual support through Word, Sacrament and Community.

This free support group will also provide guidance on Catholic Teaching
and the preparation of Health Care Directives for medical care. 

Meetings are facilitated by Deacon R. Christoph Sandoval 
Please email Deacon  to join:  

 For further details/ registration call 415-567-2020 Ext. 218
or  email   csandoval@stmarycathedralsf.org 

St Mary’s Cathedral – THROUGH DARKNESS INTO NEW LIGHT

Spiritual Grief Support Group

 3rd Fridays,  10:30 a.m. to Noon.

These sessions provide information on the grieving process
and tips on coping with the loss of a loved one.
This is an opportunity to mourn in a safe, private and confidential setting.

Meetings are facilitated by Deacon R. Christoph Sandoval 
Please email Deacon  to join:  

 For further details/ registration call 415-567-2020 Ext. 218
or  email   csandoval@stmarycathedralsf.org 

Grieving with Great Hope

This is a very good 5-part series on grief, available through Formed.org
It can be accessed here 
A subscription is required – many parishes have access
If that isn’t accessible, you can also start a free 7-day trial and watch at least some of these
– deciding if you want to pay to continue. 

GriefShare

GriefShare is a Christian, nondenominational ministry, which offers friendly, caring group of people
who will walk alongside you through one of life’s most difficult experiences.
You don’t have to go through the grieving process alone.

More information or to find a local group here

Drop-in Grief Support groups (Mission Hospice)

Events are free; everyone is welcome no ; RSVP needed.
Schedules and locations are subject to changeOnline, 12 week
closed grief support group    (limited to 8 persons)  please check our website or call 650-554-1000 and ask for the bereavement department.

San Mateo

Mission Hospice
1670 South Amphlett, #300, San Mateoplease check our website or call 650-554-1000 and ask for the bereavement department. Tuesday evenings: 6 – 7:30pm
1st and 3rd Saturdays: 10 – 11:30am
2nd and 4th Saturdays: 10 – 11:30am – for widows/widowers.
To ask about childcare, please call Tracie Pyers, 650-534-4947.
3rd Thursday evening, 6 – 7:30pm – Suicide Loss Group,
before attending for the first time, please call Isabel Stenzel at 650-931-8236
Pacifica
540 Crespi Drive, Pacifica3rd Friday: 10:30 – Noon

Mission Hospice,  
1670 S. Amphlett Blvd. #300, San Mateo
First Wednesday of the month

TO REGISTER / MORE INFORMATION: contact Isabel Stenzel, LCSW, Bereavement Coordinator
650.931.8236 or istenzel@MissionHospice.org

St Dominic’s – Grief Support Groups

-1) “The Courage to Grieve” for those grieving the loss of a loved one, for any reason.

Meets every Sunday from 2:00pm – 4:00pm.  Meeting with facilitator required before attending. 

– 2) For those who lost someone by suicide, overdose or violent crime.

This group will also include those (friends/families) who experienced a death by drug overdose.
Most helpful for those who have experienced a significant death in the last three years. 

The group’s focus is on the painful aspects of grief–Why do I feel responsible? If only…. How do I heal?  Does God withhold his mercy to those who are most  broken in spirit?  How can my faith support me? 

Format is a Faith sharing, didactic process.

Meets 2x each month. A pre-group meeting prior to the start of the group is required.

TO REGISTER FOR EITHER:
Contact Deacon Chuck McNeil, Pastoral Associate (or leave msg with receptionist)
deaconchuck@stdominics.org
More Info: (415) 567-7824

 

Check your parish bulletin for opportunities close to home and remember our cemeteries have a monthly Mass for the deceased
(those who have died a long time ago as well as recently are remembered. All are welcome.)

CADA MIERCOLES GRUPO DE APOYO – ‘SANANDO EL CORAZON

Este grupo de apoyo es para adultos (mayores de 18 años de edad) que hablan Español y que hayan sufrido la perdida de un ser querido.
Si aprendemos cómo ayudarnos a nosotros mismos durante el luto,
se puede facilitar el proceso del dolor.
Miércoles de 6 – 7:30 pm, en Mission Hospice (1670 S. Amphlett Blvd. #300, San Mateo)

Estas pláticas son coordinadas por la consejera profesional,
Sara Martinez, MSW, Trabajadora Social.
El servicio es totalmente gratuito y no es necesario inscribirse.

If you’d like to be trained to support the grieving . . .
Comforting the sorrowful does not mean removing the sorrow, much less restoring what was lost.
Often it means to simply be present as the face of Christ to those who suffer. This is the straightforward counsel of St. Paul: “Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.” (Rom 12:15)

The Archdiocese of San Francisco offers training for parishioners who wish to formally
offer this spiritual work of mercy by becoming ministers of consolation.

The Church calls each member of Christ’s body — priest, deacon as well as layperson — to participate in the ministry of consolation: to care for the dying, to pray for the dead, and to comfort those who mourn. Mercy Sister Toni Lynn Gallagher prepares lay volunteers to support their parish communities as bereavement ministers through a comprehensive training program that covers:

• • Order of Christian funerals

• • The grief process

• • Listening/communication skills

• • Caring for the minister

• • Planning your program

• • Support groups

The training is intended to help raise the awareness of grief and the needs of grieving people and cultivate parish-based grief care programs. Bereavement ministers will obtain the tools and education they need to be present to the bereaved and will be equipped to help sponsor parish grief support groups

KARA
457 Kingsley Avenue, Palo Alto  CA  94301 
650-321-5272 – call for specific groups. 
Drop-in group:  1st and 3rdWednesdays of the month (7:00 – 8:30 pm). 
Drop-in group:  2nd and 4th  Tuesdays of the month (1:00 – 2:30 pm). 
Men’s Drop in Group: 4th Tuesday of the month (7:00 – 8:30 pm) 

Menlo Park Presbyterian Church 
950 Santa Cruz Avenue, Menlo Park  CA 94025 
Grief Support ~ Drop in.  Call for updated schedule. 
Contact Monte Fisher: 650-888-3215c  or 650-330-7581w or mfisher@menlo.church
Widows and Widowers Grief Recovery ~  Contact  Sandy Ciardella  650-854-3605

MILL-PENINSULA HOSPITAL  (or MILL)
HAND – Help After Neonatal Death (Peninsula) 
650-367-6993 or email info@handsupport.org 

Loss, Grief and Bereavement Support Group 
Phone:  650-696-5400 

MISSION HOSPICE AND HOME CARE 
1670 S. Amphlett Blvd., Suite 300, San Mateo CA  94402 
650-554-1000 
Bereavement Coordinator: Roby Newman, LCSW 
rnewman@missionhospice.org 
or  Isabel Stenzel  650 931 8236 
istenzel@Missionhospice.org

We offer individual bereavement counseling to adults, teens, and children, in the office or home,
to hospice families and community clients (sliding scale fee for community clients) 

We offer the following support groups: 
Drop-in support groups Tuesday and Saturdays, Coastside Grief Support Group,
Spanish Grief Support Group in Redwood City.  Specialty groups: “Coping with the Holidays”
grief support group and “Writing through Loss” grief support group 

PATHWAYS 
Pathways Hospice offers a free grief support group for those suffering a loss of a loved one. The group provides a safe place for sharing and support, along with discussions about the grieving process, loneliness, longing, anger, coping skills, lifestyle transitions and much more.
For further information, please contact Kylin Navarro at 408-773-4295.
See list of supportive workshops online @pathwayshealth.org/grief-support 

 DEATH CAFÉS – Death Cafes are now offered weekly, and have provided a robust and interesting way to meet with others to talk about managing this pandemic, thoughts about death, experiences around death, thoughts, fears, concerns about loss and grief. You can find more information about Death Café here.

Tuesday, October  27th, 10 – Noon, to participate, register here.
Tuesday, November 3rd, 10 – Noon, to participate, register here.

AFSP American Foundation for Suicide Prevention 
800 273 8255    afsp.org

Clear Mourning
www.clearmourning.org

Peninsula & South Bay 
Contact:  Vivian Shults: • (group support, workshops)       call: 408.773.4241
              Tom May: (individual support)                              call: 408-773-4329 

San Francisco/East Bay 
Contact: Dave Rutschman, Bereavement Services Manager  •  call: 650.808.4603 or email: bereavement@pathwayshealth.org             Stepping Stones
Adult day health care service to San Francisco’s frail seniors and adults with disabilities.
Provides respite for family care-givers as well as a program of nursing services,
transportation, medication management, physical and occupational therapy,
hot lunch and personal care.  A multi-lingual staff at four locations in the city:
private pay, as well as financial assistance for those eligible
for MediCal or VA assistance, are all available.  
Contact ruiyang@steppingstonehealth.org or 415 974 6784  ext. 23 .
This could be a real aid and comfort to those in need.  

SUTTER CARE 
Sutter Care at Home offers several options. suttercareathome.org/GriefSupport/SanMateo.html
Contact Dawn Torre; MA at 650-685-2830  or email torred1@sutterhealth.org   or
Richard Jamil, MS (Children’s Bereavement Program Coordinator) at 650-685-2852

ADDITIONAL WEBSITES 
Grieving with great hope (Formed.org)
griefshare.org 
missionhospice.org