V Encuentro Proceedings and Conclusions

132 | Proceedings and Conclusions of the V National Encuentro of Hispanic/Latino Ministry • According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), mental illness affects 1 in 5 adults in the U.S. each year, and 21% of youth aged 13-18 experienced a severe mental disorder at some point in their life. • Nine out of 10 people who died by suicide had an underlying mental illness (NIMH). • According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Hispanic children are slightly less likely than other children to be diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (1.4%), but the gap is shrinking. • In 2016, 21% of people with disabilities lived in poverty, compared to 13% among all others. 28 III. Top Recommendations from the National Encuentro • Increase awareness about the realities and needs of people with disabilities, especially in rural areas. • Prepare clergy and pastoral leaders to help connect people with disabilities to the services they need. • Engage families in the religious education of their children with disabilities by providing TOTAL ACCESS to Church programs and services, including: ongoing faith formation for children and youth; sacramental preparation; and spiritual support and growth for adults with disabilities, parents, and other caregivers. IV. Successful and Exemplary Practices • Parishes should provide disability access, build awareness about disability and the dignity of every person, and offer training for pastoral staff and volunteers. • Identify and meet people with disabilities. Make the necessary modifications to integrate them into the community. Provide pastoral accompaniment and formation to them and their families. Train leaders for this ministry. • Recognize the taboo surrounding disability in Hispanic communities and work to transform it. • Find resources in the community to offer interpretation for catechesis and sacramental/liturgical celebrations. • Create spaces and welcome people with disabilities to serve in the community, according to their gifts. • Accompany parishioners with disabilities and their families, support their particular needs, and provide information on available services. This includes support for elders and people with psychological and emotional conditions. • Train lay leaders to evangelize families impacted by disability, bringing the presence of God to their homes. Then follow up on the people visited to incorporate them into the community. • Provide faith formation and sacramental preparation in an accessible setting and adapt the content and methodology to the needs of the individuals. • Train catechists for the integration of Hispanic children, youth, and adults with disabilities into catechesis, retreats, sacramental preparation, and the RCIA process in the parishes, using appropriate resources and materials. • Make accommodations to serve students with disabilities in Catholic schools. • Prepare an awareness workshop and promote it in Hispanic/Latino communities to overcome the taboo on disability so that families feel welcome to take their children and other family members with disabilities into the public. • Collaborate with diocesan colleagues to promote existing programs and ensure that Hispanic children, youth, and adults with disabilities are being served. • Organize opportunities for families living with disability to meet for mutual support and accompaniment. • Develop and implement a parish plan for the inclusion of people with disabilities in all activities and services. 28 Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Disability Statistics and Demographics, 2017 Disability Statistics Annual Report . Ministerial Area Sessions