ILOILO City – Alarmed by the growing mental health challenges confronting young people, the Archdiocese of Jaro is appealing for more psychologists, psychiatrists and counselors after launching a Pastoral Counseling Ministry at the Jaro Metropolitan Cathedral to help meet the increasing demand for emotional and psychological support of the youth.
The ministry, which operates primarily by appointment, is the Church’s latest response to what it sees as a worsening mental health situation among today’s youth, many of whom need someone to listen, guide and, when necessary, refer them for professional medical intervention.
According to Reverend Father Angelo Colada, spokesperson and director of the Archdiocese of Jaro’s Social Communications Office, “Sa Jaro Cathedral, nakita sa mga confessionals nga malawig. Ang mga kabataan gali kinahanglan nila counseling.”
Colada clarified that confession should not be confused for counseling, noting that many young people go to confessionals not merely to seek absolution but someone who can genuinely listen to their struggles and help them navigate emotional difficulties.
“Sometimes may confusion. Ang confession ya, gasugid ka sang imo mga sala. Pero ang ginakadto gali sang iban nga kabataan, kinahanglan nila nga may mamati sa ila, counselor.”
While pastoral counseling is indeed part of priestly ministry, Colada said “better gid kag gina-recommend nga indi pag ibutang sa confession kay ti if we will sit down there in the confessional, malawig ang inyo istoryahanay, while outside damu-damo mga nagapila for confession. Ang counseling malawig and it takes time.”
Archdiocese officials hope to replicate the Jaro Cathedral free counseling program in other parishes when more trained volunteers become available.
According to Colada, the initiative actually stemmed from a proposal crafted during the COVID-19 pandemic to establish a dedicated mental health ministry within the archdiocese.
“Pero wala gawa ini napatigayon kay ti sa kasakuon. Pero may mga parishes nga nag take initiative. Isa dira ang St. Clement’s Church, pila na ‘ni ka years nga gina ubra dira. Plus gin enhance pa gid nila, especially as they celebrate the 80th anniversary sang presence sang Mother of Perpetual Help diri sa aton nga archdiocese. Pero magkadto ka dira by appointment,” Colada told Panay News.
Colada said the Church has observed that the majority of those seeking help are young people.
The establishment of counseling services complements the Church’s pastoral mission while providing access to trained mental health professionals, he stressed.
“Launching pa lang ‘ni sa Jaro Cathedral, pero sige-sige na sila. But there’s a need for more counselors. Isa sa nakita naton nga problema is volunteers, mga psychologists. We need more,” said Colada.
The Jaro Cathedral currently runs the ministry with the assistance of West Visayas State University “kag mga schools and universities nga may mga psychologists,” Colada stated.
“Pero ti, depende sa kapasidad kag sitwasyon ang counseling. Kay may ara nagakinahanglan sang medical intervention. I-refer nila ini sa mga psychiatrists kag sa mga professionals gid,” he clarified.
He said the archdiocese is now encouraging more mental health professionals to volunteer as it plans to establish similar pastoral counseling ministries in other parishes.
The counseling ministry is staffed by priests with pastoral counseling training and supported by volunteer psychologists and psychiatrists, enabling the Church to offer the service free of charge.
“We are acutely aware of the financial barriers that often prevent individuals from seeking psychological help,” Colada said.
Individuals who wish to avail themselves of the free counseling service may schedule appointments through the Jaro Cathedral office.
“We are optimistic about its potential for growth and success. As we increase awareness and build our volunteer base, we aim to adapt our services to meet the evolving needs of our community,” Colada said.
The Archdiocese of Jaro envisions establishing a network of pastoral counseling ministries supported by psychologists, psychiatrists, and other professionals in the field of guidance and counseling willing to lend their skills “to this important cause.”/PN
