About the Virtual Conference
During Mental Health Awareness Month, the Office of Family Life invites clergy, spouses, parents, and family ministry leaders to participate in Mental Health Tools for Ministry: Recognize • Respond • Refer, a virtual conference dedicated to supporting marriages, families, and faith communities.
Inspired by the vision of Dignitas Infinita, this initiative affirms the inherent and unchanging dignity of every human person. Mental health challenges, emotional suffering, addiction, trauma, or other life circumstances never diminish a person's worth in the eyes of God. As a compassionate and evangelizing Church, we are called to accompany individuals and families with understanding, hope, and practical support.
Through this conference, participants will gain a greater awareness of common mental health challenges affecting marriages and families, learn how to respond with compassion and confidence, recognize when professional support is needed, and better understand a Catholic approach to accompaniment and care.
This conference is intended for educational and formational purposes. Its goal is to provide practical tools, information, and opportunities for reflection related to mental health awareness and pastoral ministry.
This conference does not provide psychotherapy, counseling, medical treatment, legal advice, crisis intervention, or individualized spiritual direction. Personal situations may require consultation with qualified mental health, medical, legal, or pastoral professionals.
The purpose of this conference is to help participants recognize concerns, respond with compassion, and refer individuals to appropriate professional resources when needed. Participants will not be trained to diagnose, treat, or provide clinical mental health services.
About the Speaker
Dr. Kenneth Buckle, PsyD, LP
Executive Director, Gratia Plena
Dr. Kenneth Buckle is a licensed psychologist in the State of Texas and serves as Executive Director of Gratia Plena, where he provides leadership for the organization's clinical services and operations. A native Houstonian, Dr. Buckle has dedicated his professional career to accompanying adults facing mental health challenges, emotional struggles, and addictions.
He earned his bachelor's degree in Psychology from the University of St. Thomas in Houston and completed his graduate training in the Chicago area through Wheaton College and the Illinois School of Professional Psychology.
Drawing from extensive clinical experience and a deep understanding of the intersection between faith, mental health, and human flourishing, Dr. Buckle helps individuals, families, and ministry leaders better understand the realities of mental illness, addiction, healing, and recovery.
Dr. Buckle and his wife are parishioners at St. Laurence Catholic Church. He practices in the Stafford/Sugar Land area, where he works primarily with adults seeking compassionate and professional psychological care.
Keynote Presentation
During this 90-minute virtual conference, Dr. Buckle will provide practical insights and ministry-focused tools to help participants:
- Recognize common mental health challenges affecting marriages and families.
- Respond with compassion, confidence, and appropriate pastoral care.
- Refer individuals to professional resources when specialized support is needed.
- Understand a Catholic approach to accompaniment, mental wellness, and human dignity.
His presentation will equip clergy, spouses, parents, and family ministry leaders with practical guidance for supporting individuals and families while respecting the boundaries between pastoral care and professional mental health treatment.
This conference is intended for educational and formational purposes. Its goal is to provide information, practical tools, and opportunities for reflection related to mental health awareness and ministry care.
This conference does not constitute psychotherapy, counseling, medical treatment, legal advice, crisis intervention, or individualized spiritual direction. Personal situations may require consultation with qualified mental health, medical, legal, or pastoral professionals.
General Information: The information presented during this conference is educational in nature and intended for a general audience. Each participant is responsible for discerning how the information may apply to their own circumstances, ministry setting, or community.
Outcomes and effectiveness may vary based on individual situations, experience, and implementation.
Voluntary Participation: Participation in all discussions, activities, and sharing opportunities is voluntary. Participants are encouraged to engage at their own comfort level and share only what they wish to share.
Technology Requirements: Participants are expected to join using a device with a reliable internet connection, functioning audio, and camera capabilities.
To foster a collaborative and engaging learning environment, participants may be asked to keep their cameras on whenever possible.
Respectful Environment All participants are expected to contribute to a respectful, professional, and faith-centered environment. Harassing, offensive, discriminatory, disruptive, or inappropriate behavior will not be tolerated. Conference organizers reserve the right to remove participants whose conduct interferes with the learning experience of others.
Conference Content: Conference presentations will address mental health awareness, pastoral accompaniment, referral practices, and Catholic approaches to care and support.
The conference is open to clergy, spouses, parents, family ministry leaders, and others interested in these topics, regardless of their level of experience.
Copyright and Intellectual Property All conference materials, presentations, handouts, recordings, and resources are protected by copyright and intellectual property laws.
Materials may not be reproduced, copied, recorded, distributed, published, or shared without prior written permission from the organizers.
Recording of Sessions Some conference sessions may be recorded for educational, training, or organizational purposes.
Participants will be notified when recording occurs, and any required consent will be obtained in advance.
Limited Capacity Conference space is limited. Registrations received after capacity has been reached may be placed on a waiting list and notified accordingly.
