Introduction
The Conference of Religious Women India (CRWI), in collaboration with Christ University, Bangalore, successfully launched the Wellbeing Self-Care Kit and Mental Health Action Plan for Religious Women on March 1, 2025. This landmark event, held via video conference from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM, marked a significant step in CRWI’s commitment to promoting mental health and wellness among religious women.
Opening Session
The program commenced with a solemn prayer led by Mr. Jomit, Finance Manager of CRWI, setting a reverent tone for the event. Following this, Sr. Renjitha CTC, the Master of Ceremonies, warmly welcomed the participants and provided a brief overview of the event’s objectives.
Welcome Address
Dr. Patrick Jude delivered the welcome address, expressing gratitude to all attendees for their presence. He highlighted the importance of prioritizing mental health and well-being among religious women, recognizing the increasing need for structured support and self-care initiatives.
Project Overview
The Wellbeing of Women and Religious Sisters in India (WWRSI), spearheaded by CRWI, aims to enhance the mental health and wellness of women religious in India. Sr. Molly Matthew, Executive Director of CRWI, provided an insightful presentation on the project’s vision, objectives, and ongoing initiatives.
Objectives of the Initiative
- Develop self-care training modules, tools, and healing retreats for religious sisters.
- Enhance the capacity of peer leaders to recognize, respond to, and refer cases of mental health distress.
- Establish sustainable mental health gatekeeping initiatives at the grassroots level.
- Implement early detection and intervention through mental health screening tools.
- Provide counseling and referral support to sisters experiencing mental health challenges.
- Create a customized self-care management module tailored to the needs of women religious.
- Conduct webinars and training sessions on self-care and well-being kits.
Activities Undertaken
- Hosted the "Renewing Spirits" webinar on mental health and wellness for religious sisters aged 40-60 which was attended by over 1500 participants.
- Conducted a comprehensive needs assessment with sisters from six different regions.
- Developed training modules based on the assessment findings.
- Implemented a Train-the-Trainer (ToT) Program across ten locations.
- Established a network of trained peer leaders for mental health support within religious communities.
- Launched sustainable mental health gatekeeping initiatives at the grassroots level.
Upcoming Activities
- Peer Group Formation and Follow-Up Program – Establish peer support networks for continuous emotional and psychological well-being.
- Revitalizing Retreats – Organize retreats designed to rejuvenate and promote mental well-being.
- Postgraduate Diploma in Counselling Psychology – In collaboration with Christ University, offer a specialized diploma program tailored for women religious.
- Mental Health Action Plan Implementation – Develop and execute a strategic plan based on the WWRSI project's learnings and outcomes.
Launch of the Wellbeing Self-Care Kit
A key highlight of the event was the official launch of the Wellbeing Self-Care Kit, a comprehensive resource designed to support the mental health and wellness of religious women. This kit provides practical strategies and techniques to help manage stress, build resilience, and cultivate inner peace.
Fr. Varghese CMI, Chief Finance Officer of Christ University, Bangalore, officially launched the kit and delivered a keynote address emphasizing the urgent need for mental health awareness and self-care among religious women.
Program Implementation: Process and Procedures
Dr. Patrick Jude, Professor in the Department of Psychology at Christ University, provided an in-depth explanation of the program’s implementation framework. He acknowledged the contributions of Dr. Tony Same George and outlined the structured process, including:
- Conducting needs assessments and focus group discussions with religious sisters.
- Developing a comprehensive wellness module based on the findings.
- Successfully executing nine Training of Trainers (ToT) workshops to empower sisters in identifying and supporting individuals in distress.
- Creating a roadmap for long-term mental health support within religious communities.
Discussion on the Mental Health Action Plan
Fr. Varghese CMI led an engaging discussion on the Mental Health Action Plan, presenting key findings from a study conducted by Christ University:
- 13 sisters exhibited moderate mental health challenges.
- 33 sisters faced severe mental health issues.
Fr. Varghese emphasized the importance of awareness, proactive intervention, and long-term sustainability. His proposed Action Plan includes:
- Distribution of the Wellbeing Kit and Mental Health Action Plan across congregations, provinces, and communities.
- Identification of mental health trainers among religious sisters.
- Training and support systems for sisters experiencing distress.
Implementation Timeline:
- By March 2026: Train sisters in all provinces and congregations using the Wellbeing Kit.
- By March 2027: Establish mental health trainers in every congregation.
Fr. Varghese underscored the pressing need for such initiatives, given the declining number of vocations and increasing demands on existing religious sisters.
Open Discussion
The event concluded with an interactive open discussion session, where participants shared their experiences, insights, and recommendations for strengthening mental health and well-being programs in religious communities.
Vote of Thanks
Mr. Abey Jose, Data and Communication Coordinator, delivered the vote of thanks, expressing deep appreciation to the speakers, organizers, and participants for their invaluable contributions to the event’s success.
Conclusion
The launch of the Wellbeing Self-Care Kit and Mental Health Action Plan represents a significant milestone in CRWI’s mission to prioritize and promote mental health among religious women. The collaborative efforts between CRWI and Christ University have laid the foundation for future initiatives aimed at fostering resilience, self-care, and overall well-being within religious communities.