November is full of awareness days and anniversaries, and it can feel overwhelming. Thanksgiving is approaching fast, and I keep asking myself: Will I be prepared? Will my Christmas shopping be done so I can relax in December? The short and the long answer is no.
This year I plan to observe International Stress Awareness Week, the first week of November. It will be an easy one to acknowledge, because life keeps giving me plenty of chances to be aware of stress.
So how do you handle stress? According to Search Assist, the basics are to get at least 7 hours of sleep, eat a healthy diet, exercise regularly, practice mindfulness or meditation, and stay socially connected. For immediate relief, it adds deep breathing, stretching, and laughter. I don’t discount that advice, but it seems like common sense, and it is easier said than done.
Sleep can be a real struggle for me. I often wake in the middle of the night worrying about unfinished chores or a looming catastrophe. That may be a bit of hyperbole, but at times it feels extremely accurate. My way of managing these moments is to Breathe, Pray, and Believe in myself. This method has served me well, but sometimes life throws every calamity your way. That is when you must dig into your mental health tool kit and get to work.
Need a group where you can share your struggles and learn from others in similar situations? Check the calendar on the Catholic Charities website. You will find classes offered through the agency and events offered in parishes as part of the Parish Mental Health Program. Click any event on the calendar to find who to call for information.
Here are five parish offerings I want to highlight:
- Monica’s Mom support group – First Thursday of each month at St. Regis. St. Monica prayed for her son for 14 years. This long-running group offers good suggestions and knows how to listen.
- Catholic in Recovery – Fridays from 7 pm to 8 pm at St. Therese North in Parkville. If you are struggling with addiction, this chapter could be a big help.
- The Bible Through the Lens of Trauma – Tuesdays from 9 am to 10:30 am and Thursdays from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm at St. Robert Bellarmine Parish, 4313 SW State Rte. 7, Blue Springs.
- Seeing Our Stories Through a New Lens – Wednesdays beginning November 18, 2026, at St. Mark, 3736 Lees Summit Rd, Independence, MO 64055. Choose an afternoon session (1pm–2:30 pm) or an evening session (6:30 pm–8:00 pm). See the calendar for the flyer.
- Blue Christmas Service (not a Mass) – December 1 at 7pm at St. Therese North in Parkville. Many people struggle to put on a happy face during the holidays. This perennial favorite is quiet and respectful, and it offers a sense of not being alone.
I also never forget our veterans. If you are in need of services, please reach out to our veterans’ programs. We have resources and know how to direct you to help. We owe our veterans great respect and honor. Visit the agency calendar and the veterans services page for more information.
By Linda Hopkins, Parish Mental Health Ministry Coordinator at Catholic Charities of Kansas City-St. Joseph
