Pope says people with mental illness need support, proper care

Published: 2005-12-09

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- More needs to be done to offer proper care and support for people who suffer from mental illness, Pope Benedict XVI said in his message for the World Day of the Sick. Mental illness "afflicts one-fifth of mankind and constitutes a real and authentic social health care emergency," he said. However, "in many parts of the world, the services for these sick people are lacking, insufficient or in a state of decay," he said in his written message, released Dec. 9 by the Vatican. The 14th World Day of the Sick will be marked Feb. 11 in Adelaide, Australia. The pope said he would be "spiritually present" that day dedicated to "the situation of the mentally ill in the world." He said experts have found "new forms of mental disturbance" linked to "the crisis of moral values." Also severe mental trauma can be caused by "the prolongation of armed conflicts," natural catastrophes "and the spread of terrorism," he said.

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