"I started Catholic Mental Health because I always struggled with reconciling my mental health with my faith. I didn't feel like anyone in the Church saw me. Our Lady has been my personal guardian, especially in my mental health, as the mother who ushers me to the wounded side of Christ when I feel too embarrassed to approach. I believe that she has special compassion for all mentally ill people, and especially those who are homeless, neglected, or lack the care they need and deserve for whatever reason." -Sophia Swinford, founder & president of CMH
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Catholic Mental Health is a new nonprofit founded by my friend and fellow GIVEN 2019 attendee Sophia Swinford. Her heart for mental health is a huge gift to the Church and to everyone she encounters with mental illness.
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I was so excited when Sophia asked me to create an image of her patroness, Our Lady of Mental Peace, because there are not many representations of her and this process gave me the chance to pray with Our Lady in a way I hadn’t before. I asked our wounded Queen to show me who she was, and how she would love and receive those who suffer from various mental illness or stigma. This is what came to me in prayer.
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Thank you, Sophia, for letting me be a part of your mission in this way! This image will be printed on holy cards given to her donors.
(painting medium: watercolor and gouache)
