A Prayer to Protect Young People from Mental Health and Suicide Challenges
“Deliver us O Lord”
Dear Lord, I swore myself to silence as humiliation, swallowed
My tears, suffocated and blocked the expression of sufferings,
The willingness to admit the hurt and shame of the heart’s welts,
Taking silence to an extreme of losing consciousness of the past.
Dear Lord, I did not know why I did what I did but I did do this:
Dear Lord, I ran away and, afraid on strange streets, I went home.
Dear Lord, I tried to commit suicide and you frightened me and I
Drank water, lots of water, until I fell asleep and woke up again.
Dear Lord, I went in search of the hidden past, the past pushed
Down until it did not come up and, staying down, stopped the
Passage of the past into the present until the impoverished present
Showed itself in the unknowing of my own life and what to do.
Dear Lord, digging up the past was like breaking down a dam,
Bursting upon me the streaming memories lost and multiplied,
Amazingly, still existing in an unreachable place that probing the
Heart exposed to daylight, like a cave roof collapsing to the sky!
Why? The inescapable why? Lord, I now know to be the hidden
Hand of pride, hiding what needed to be open and simply said.
And so, Lord, it has taken thirty to forty years to understand the
Silence of the first few years, starting with what was a secret sin:
Of stealing my brother’s toys and trading them for flicking cards,
Of stealing money from the kitchen pot of bus fares undetected,
Of stealing magazines from shops, faking the buy or buying a bit,
Of stealing from others, from a father of a friend, old coins and …
Dear Mary, Mother of the Lord and the one who pondered on the
Word of God, listening and pondering, wondering what it meant:
The mysterious conception of your Holy Son, the mystery of His
Birth, being lost, growing up in wisdom and knowing His Father.
Dear Mary, you listened and listened to the word of the history of
Salvation, not a history of the past but of the fulfilling present, ever
Opening upon the mysteries of the day-to-day discoveries of living
With the Word in person, watching and working as life unfolded.
Dear Mary, help us to listen and listen to the word of the history of
Salvation, not as a word from the past but as a word uncovering the
Present and promising, implicitly, the opening of the present into the
Unknown but promised blooming of the blemished life – budding!!
Oh Joseph, virginal husband of Mary, foster-father of Jesus Christ,
Accompany us with your wordless actions, so full of meaning and
Patient believing in the events of a life lived in service of the Word,
His mother: Accompany us into the trusting action that God is here.
Oh Joseph, working companion and, presence in the Holy Family,
Let what is invisible not be what is harmful but let what burrows in
The heart be exposed and healed, taken to the Word who forgives,
Who erupts with new life that life lived in the dying dark, unliving.
Oh Joseph, still, calm, guardian of the Redeemer and servant of the
Family, come close to us and let us come close to you, whether with
Or without a father, with or without a mother or family, let us draw
Close to you and Mary, the Lord Himself and His healing Church.
Oh Holy Family, heal the hidden wounds which wound afresh and
Transmit harm from generation to generation, so what begins afresh
Is the fresh start, fallen though we are, ever called to rise again and
Beg forgiveness and forgive, spreading a miracle of love from death.
I beg you to go out into life and open your heart to the Word of God!
Francis Etheredge: Now married for 26 years, father of 11 children, 3 of whom are in heaven, author of 16 books, 3 of which are forthcoming.
For my own account of attempted suicide, around 14 or 15, 50 years ago, go to: The Prayerful Kiss:
Interviews
Film Reviews/Commentaries
Polite Society Reviewed by Peter Debruge Variety
Resources
Medical Journal Articles
National Trends in Mental Health–Related Emergency Department Visits Among Youth, 2011-2020 by Tanner J Bommersbach, MD, MPH; Alastair J. McKean, MD; Mark Olfson, MD, MPH; et al. JAMA May 2, 2023
The New Crisis of Increasing All-Cause Mortality in US Children and Adolescents by Steven H. Woolf, MD, MPH, Elizabeth R. Wolf, MD, MPH, and Frederick P. Rivara, MD, MPH JAMA March 13, 2023
The New Crisis of Increasing All-Cause Mortality in US Children and Adolescents by Steven H. Woolf, MD, MPH, Elizabeth R. Wolf, MD, MPH, and Frederick P. Rivera, MD, MPH JAMA March 13, 2023
Suicide and Youth: Risk Factors by Johan Bilsen1 Front Psychiatry. 2018; 9: 540.
Reasons and trends in youth's suicide rates during the COVID-19 pandemic by Ryunosuke Goto , Yusuke Okubo, Norbert Skokauskas Lancet Reg Health West Pac. 2022 Aug 11;27:10056
Prevalence and Persistence of Psychiatric Disorders in Youth After Detention. A Prospective Longitudinal Study by Linda A. Teplin, PhD; Leah J. Welty, PhD; Karen M. Abram, PhD; et al Arch Gen Psychiatry. 2012;69(10):1031-
Using Systems of Care to Reduce Incarceration of Youth with Serious Mental Illness by Chris D. Erickson American Journal of Community Psychology volume 49, pages404–416 (2012
Physical and Psychosocial Impacts of Parental Incarceration on Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review Differentiating Age of Exposure by MSK Luk, C Hui, SKM Tsang, YL Fung…Adolescent Research , 2022
General Articles on Youth Challenges/Leadership
Germany's top Franciscan calls for ordination of women priests by Katholische Nachrichter-Agentur National Catholic Reporter
Chicago Cardinal holds officers, their families 'in prayer,' decries gun violence by Catholic News Service/National Catholic Reporter
World’s worst humanitarian crisis by Tony Magliano Franciscan Action Network
Franciscan says her vocation put her on path to ‘peace, joy, happiness’ by Katie Camario Crux
Franciscans nurture Indonesian youth awareness of nature by Ryan Dagur UCANews
Europe begins to shift on gender medication for kids by J-P Mauro Aleteia
Police arrest 15-year-old suspect following stabbing attack at Assyrian Orthodox church in Sydney by McKenna Snow Catholic Vote
Youth Movement Brings Christ’s Healing to Homes With Online Challenge by New Evangelization Television (NET)
This High Schooler Invented an A.I.-Powered Trap That Zaps Invasive Lanternflies by Catherine Duncan The Smithsonian Magazine
How the teen mental health crisis is turning some youth pastors into first responders by Elizabeth E. Evans Religion News Service
Pope to Taizé youth: ‘Dare to build a different world’ by Christopher Wells Vatican News
Program Offering Free COVID-19 and Flu Services Expands Nationwide by Emily Harris JAMA December 20, 2023
Using Throat Swabs Improved Sensitivity in Detecting SARS-CoV-2 by Emily Harris JAMA December 20, 2023
Endocarditis-Related Deaths Among US Younger Adults Is “Cause for Alarm” by Emily Harris JAMA December 20, 2023
Victims allege sex abuse in Maryland youth detention facilities under new law allowing them to sue by Lea Skene The Associated Press
From anger to joy: Young convert shares story on World Youth Day stage by Hannah Brockhaus Catholic News Agency
Burundi’s young Catholic digital apostles learning to be online influencers of the faith by Innocent Adovi with Dieudonné \iyibiz Vatican News
Indian Catholic youth study 'Towards Full Presence' to engage with social media by Vatican News
Woman arrested for silent prayer at abortion clinics gets police apology by Kevin J. Jones Catholic News Agency
A young Catholic phenomenon – Hakuna movement by CathNews New Zealand
Israeli teens arrive in Pittsburgh to strengthen Diaspora relations by Adam Reinherz Pittsburg Jewish Chronicle
Brooklyn Teen’s Road to Sainthood Gains Momentum by The Tablet
The Polish roots of World Youth Day by Father Raymond J. de Souza National Catholic Register
"Preach the real Christ,’ Bishop Barron tells thousands of U.S. youth at WYD by Hannah Brockhaus Catholic News Agency/The Catholic World Report
Pope meets with clerical abuse survivors, urges Church to hear victims’ ‘anguished cry’ by Courtney Mares Catholic News Agency
Accept and listen to abuse victims, pope says in Portugal by Deutsche Welle
Protesters interrupt Mass for LGBTQ pilgrims at WYD by CathNews New Zealand
Cardinal-elect Aguiar: Ukrainian young people 'filled with courage and joy' by Francesca Merlo and Svitlana Dukhovych Vatican News
Pope Francis meets with young Polish pilgrims by Paweł Kowalski, SJ and Tomasz Matyka, SJ Vatican News
Teen assisted suicide plan – horrific by CathNews New Zealand Link to Assisted Suicide
Suicide rate highest among teens and young adults by UCLA Health Link to Suicide
Suicide, Depression, and a ‘Crisis of Hope’: Offering Real Help to Our Youth in Despair by Father Roger Landry National Catholic Register
Allowing teens to access euthanasia would see standards ‘end up in the gutter’ by CathNews Link to Euthanasia
Former MP: Euthanasia for kids shows we’ve lost our way by CathNews
What Teens Want You to Know About Social Media and Mental Health by Amanda Lenhart Pocket Link to Mental Health/Illness and to Social Media
Nearly one fourth of China’s youth report mental health problems by CathNews New Zealand
The World Youth Day controversy: Problem or symptom? by John M. Grondelski, Ph.D. The Catholic World Report
World Youth Day 2023 Pilgrims Use Unlikely Transportation to Lisbon by Catholic Vote
Open yourself to God, pope tells marginalized youth ahead of WYD by Justin McLellan Catholic News Service/Angelus
World Youth Day ‘critical moment’ for Church in Australia by CathNews
Portugal’s Ambassador to Holy See: World Youth Day will be a sign of hope by Patricia Ynestroza and Edoardo Giribaldi Vatican News
Visa denials face applicants from developing nations ahead of World Youth Day by Nirmala Carvalho Crux
Notre Dame students break into historic jail by CathNews
Guildford Stoke Park stabbing near skate park as Surrey Police launch manhunt by Kirstie McCrum SurryLive
The Helen Diller Family Foundation honors 15 Jewish teens annually with awards of $36,000 each. by Diller Teen Awards
The Invisible Student: A Tale of Homelessness at UCLA and USC by Tabby Refael Jewish JournalLink to Homeless
Portugal declares World Youth Day amnesty for young convicts by CathNews New Zealand Link to Prison Challenges
Youth Challenges Conditions at Franklin County Juvenile Detention Center by ACLU
Iowa teen gets life with possibility of parole after 35 years for Spanish teacher’s beating death by Scott McFetridge The Associated Press Link to Murder
Teen who recovered from broken back completes charity Eiffel Tower climb by Paul Cargill indy100
Teenage girl attacked by group of men in Belfast by The Irish Post
Young Jews are demanding action on climate change by Shira Nathan Jewish Telegraphic Agency Link to Environment and Climate Challenges, Advocacy, and Response
A reflection on World Youth Day and climate change by Peter Coughlan Independent Catholic News
2 Teens Dead Subway Surfing in New York City by InterNewsGroup
Tribute paid to 'cheeky' Surrey teenager killed in Sussex stabbing by Ruth Oven SurryLive Link to Murdered Children and Teens
Brother Sockie: Educating youth, promoting sustainable development in Philippines by Rechilda Estores Vatican News
Iraq: Christian youth festival provides hope for future of Church by Amy Balog Independent Catholic News
Pope’s Restrictions Spark Resurgence of Interest in Traditional Mass Among Youth by Edward Pentin National Catholic Reporter
Surgeon General issues advisory regarding effects social media has on youths’ mental health by Contemporary Pediatrics
Teens are turning to Snapchat's 'My AI' for mental health support — which doctors warn against by Melissa Rudy Fox News Link to Artificial Intelligence, Chatbox, Chatbot, and Robotics
Ransomware criminals are dumping kids’ private files online after school hacks by Frank Bajak, Heather Hollingsworth, and Larry Finn The Associated Press Link to Children at Risk and to Cybersecurity
New Jersey teen pleads guilty to online threats detailing attacks on Jews by Julia GergelyJewish Telegraphic Agency Link to Antisemitism
USCSAHT Announces Human Trafficking Teen Video Contest Winners by Sisters Against Trafficking. Link to Human Trafficking
Dignity in Death: Catholic high scholars bury the dead by Emily Lehman National Catholic Register
Survey exploring faith formation in young Catholics by Independent Catholic News
Pope to Hungary's Jesuits: 'Young people need consistent witness' by Deborah Castellano Lubov Vatican NewsLink to The Jesuits
Palestinian teens jailed for raping Polish tourist in front of partner by Shlomi Heller/Wallai The Jerusalem Post Link to Sexual Reations with and Sexual Violence Against Women and Girls
Don’t be couch potatoes!’ Pope Francis urges youth by Pope Francis Catholic News Agency/The Catholic World Report
Pope tells young Hungarians to aim high in life by Lisa Zengarini Vatican News
His Story Commentary by Kathryn Post Religion News Service
The Dangerous Experiment on Teen Girls. The preponderance of the evidence suggests that social media is causing real damage to adolescents by Jonathan Haidt The Atlantic Link to Social Media
First gathering for a group of teenagers ready for Confirmation through 4 islets in the archipelago of the Leeward Islands by Agenzia Fides
How the Salesians are helping youth in Syria, a country in its 12th year of civil war by The Catholic News Agency/The Catholic World ReportLink to The Salesians
Vatican prosecutors reveal extraordinary exchange between pope and accused cardinal by Junno Arocho Esteves Religious News Service
Andi Speaks on Quality Education at the 2023 Istanbul Youth Summit by Dialogue Institute
Faith communities, elders unite to help solve Alice Springs youth crisis by CathNews
Flame: Largest Catholic youth gathering since pandemic by Independent Catholic News
Addressing the Youth Mental Health Crisis: Adults Need to Look Inward by Jen Laws HIV/HCV Watch
Brave Irish teen saves mother and daughter from drowning in Co Carlow by IrishCentral Link to Ireland Issues and Challenges
Youth Work Promotes the Wellbeing of Young People by Youth Work Ireland
Pope thanks families hosting youths participating in WYD 2023 by Lisa Zengarini Vatican News
Parents warned over 'tinder-style' app targeted at young people by Stephen Pitts Surrey Live
Pope Francis exhorts young pPope Francis reiterates the importance of “teaming up” in a world that tends to isolate and divide people. by Edoardo Giribaldi Vatican News
This 12-Year-Old Designed a Water Bottle You Can Eat by Jacquelyne Germain Smithsonian Magazine
North Korea executes two teenagers for 'evil' crime of watching foreign films by Charles Harrison Express Link to Murdered Children and Teens
How USA teen superstar Yunus Musah slipped through Arsenal’s fingers by Nnamdi Onye Irish Examiner
Four groups of women religious present study on girls’ rights during pandemic by Sr Bernadette Reis,fsp Vatican News
West Roxbury teen's commitment to youth ministry leads to meeting with pope by Jacqueline Tetrault The Pilot
Pope urges African youth to be protagonists in shaping future by Elise Ann Alan Crux
How America’s conservative youth movement grew a powerhouse on the cult of rage by Yonat Shimron Religion News Service
2 people killed, 2 wounded in shooting outside Chicago high school by Brad Parks and Andy Rose CNN Link to Gun Violence
NYCI research shows Covid-19 pandemic impacting most severely on ‘at risk’ youth by National Youth Council of Ireland Link to COVID-19
Teenager charged with membership of neo-Nazi terrorist group and possessing bomb-making manuals by Lizzie Dearden The Independent Link to Neo-Nazis
Study: Religion and spirituality can aid youth mental health crisis by Religion News Service
When there’s a problem, ‘we just pray’: Lebanese teen started NGO to get medical care to poor by Catholic News Agency/The Catholic World Report
How the great Muslim poet Rumi is helping today’s displaced youth find themselves by Michael Wolfe and Sumreena Hussain Religion News Service
A Ukrainian Teenager Invents a Drone That Can Detect Land Mines by Margaret Osborne Smithsonian Magazine
Ukrainian youth festival: hope wins over hate by Svitlana Dukhovych Vatican News
Thousands of young Catholics pray on Mount of the Beatitudes in the Holy Land by Courtney Mares Catholic News Agency/Angelus
Youth Changemakers Tackle Global Issues by Jennifer Sperbe UNICEF USA
Gun violence and the deep sadness of our teens by Bishop Robert Barron Word on Fire/Angelus
Pope Francis: Conscientious objector Bl. Franz Jägerstätter an example for youth by Hannah Brockhaus Catholic News Agency/Angelus
This High Schooler Invented a Low-Cost, Mind-Controlled Prosthetic Arm by Margaret Osbor The Smithsonian Magazine
Anti-Trans Bills Are Directly Harming LGBTQ+ Youth Mental Health by James Factor them Link to LGBTQ Challenges
Pope Francis tells trans person 'God loves us as we are' by Becca Monaghan indiy1000
Amid Black exodus, young Catholics are pushing the church to address racism by Alejandra Molina Religion News Service Link to Racial Challenges
A 15-year-old girl invented a solar ironing cart that's winning global respect by Sushmia Pathak NPR
Young people deserve to hear directly from Pope Francis on synod by Father Daniel P Horan, OFM National Catholic Reporter
Zimbabwean teen teaches taekwondo to fight child marriage by Farai Mutsaka The Associated Press
These High School Students Staged a Walk Out to Support Bullied Gay Classmate by Molly Sprayregan them
This Teenager Is Developing a Video Game That Assesses Your Mental Health by Lila Thulin Smithsonian Magazine
20-year-old filmmaker wins award for powerful 1-minute film about marriage by Aleteia
Sisters set troubled Filipino teens on course to self-sufficiency Brazilian Franciscan works to raise Black teen girls' self-esteem in the Amazon by Catholic News Service/Global Sisters Report
Zimbabwean teen teaches taekwondo to fight child marriage by Farai Mutsaka The Associated Press
Preventing Drug Use among Children and Adolescents by National Institute on Drug Abuse
Catholic altar girl in hiding in Pakistan after escaping abductor, Maira Shahbaz was raped, blackmailed and forced into sex work after being made to convert to Islam by Kamran Chaudhry UCA News Link to Human Trafficking
Card. Cupich promises to be more attentive, present, available to young people by Linda Bordoni Vatican News
Books, Book Reviews, Commentaries, and Excerpts
Blessed Are the Bored in Spirit: A Young Catholic’s Search for Meaning by Mark Hart Reviewed by Eileen Quinn Knight, Ph.D. Profiles in Catholicism
Carlo Acutis: The First Millennial Saint by Nicola Gori Reviewed by Eileen Quinn Knight, Ph.D. Profiles in Catholicism
Leadership for Catholic Youth Ministry: A Comprehensive Resource by Thomas East with Alejandra Agiolera-Titus, Carolyn Coll, RSM, Ann Marie Eckert, et al Reviewed by Eileen Quinn Knight, Ph.D. Profiles in Catholicism
Connecting Young Adults to Catholic Parishes. Best Practices in Catholic Young Adult Ministry by United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Reviewed by Eileen Quinn Knight, Ph.D. Profiles in Catholicism
Blessed Carlo Acutis: A Saint in Sneakers by Courtney Mares Reviewed by Claire Giangravé Religion News Service
Dear Evan Hansen by Carl Kozlowski Reviewed by Carl Kozlowski The Catholic World Report
Teens and the Impact of Sleep on Mental Health by Slumber Yard Team Reviewed by Dr. Gregory Minnis, DPT Slumber Yard
Catechesis for Teens by Archbishop Víctor Manuel Fernández Commentary by Hannah Brockhaus National Catholic Register
The English Cantos: Volume II: Stairwell by James Sale Reviewed by Francis Etheredge Profiles in Catholicism
An Unlikely Gardener: A Collection of Prose and Poetry See the extract from Christine Sunderland's "Foreword" by Francis Etheredge LinkedIn
The Outsiders: God’s Lonely People by Father John O'Brien Reviewed by Ann Murray Profiles in Catholicism
Oddball Ornaments: the Story of Forgiveness by Terry Overton Reviewed by Eileen Quinn-KnightProfiles in Catholicism
Fix Yourself Handbook by Faust Ruggiero, M.S Reviewed by Eileen Quinn Knight, Ph.D. Profiles in Catholicism
Mary Magdalene: A Visual History by Diane Apostolos-Cappadona| Reviewed by David Paul Deavel The Catholic World Report
Heal Me with Your Mouth. The Art of Kissing by Archbishop Víctor Manuel Fernández Commentary by Almudena Calatrava The Associated Press
God loves us as we are by Russell Moore Reviewed by Bob Smietana Religion News Service
Losing Our Religion by Russell Moore Reviewed by Bob Smietana Religion News Service
Film Reviews/Commentaries
The Miracle Club Reviewed by Stefano Rebeggiani Angelus News
Polite Society Reviewed by Peter Debruge Variety
The Hidden Treasure of the Church. Reviewed by Peter Kwasniewski, PhD OnePeter5
Sound of Freedom Reviewed by Peter Pinedo Catholic News Agency
Oppenheimer Reviewed by Andrew Silow-Carroll Jewish Telegraphic Agency
Barbie Reviewed by Ellise Shafer and Rachel Seo Variety
Insidious: Red Door Commentary by Rebecca Rubin Variety
The Miracle Club Reviewed by Steven D. Greydanus The Catholic World Report
Theater Camp Commentary by Shira Li Bartov Jewish Telegraphic Agency
Golda Commentary by Jewish Telegraphic Agency
Are You There God, It's Me Margaret by Rev. James DiLuzio C.S.P. Profiles in Catholicism
Television Reviews/Commentaries
Dr Semmelweis Reviewed by Fiona Audley The Irish Post
Chanteuse: A Survival Musical Reviewed by Mikhal Weiner Jewish Telegraphic Agency
Homeroom Reviewed by Danny Duncan Collum U.S. Catholic
Television Reviews/Commentaries
Homeroom Reviewed by Danny Duncan Collum U.S. Catholic
Music Reviews/Commentaries
Paul Simon’s ‘Seven Psalms’ – a biblical record of hope, fear and love by CathNews New Zealand
Youth Resources
Documents
Youth Ministry USCCB
Videos
Pope Francis shares message for U.S. Catholic Youth: “Do not lose your joy”
The identity crisis of wild Australian youth
Muhammad Shaikh Interactive Session with Canadian Youth / Teenagers
Sonic Youth Live at Buenos Aires, Argentina Oct 21, 2000 (FULL CONCERT)
Gen Z Voters Discuss Guns Laws & Police Reform in the US