A team of professors from the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Institute of Religion and Research Center for Theology Religious Studies and Ethics has published a study in the international journal Pastoral Psychology that calls for a pastoral response to the rising cases of depression among young people.

The article, jointly written by Inst. Joseph Albert Reyes, Prof. Allan Basas, and Inst. Ivan Efreaim Gozum, draws on Pope Francis’s concept of the “culture of encounter” as a guiding principle for pastoral accompaniment. According to the authors, the Church is in a unique position to help young people who struggle with depression by creating communities that are compassionate, inclusive, and supportive.

The study applies the Catholic social tradition’s see-judge-act method, beginning with an examination of the complex causes and growing prevalence of youth depression. It then interprets this reality through the lens of Pope Francis’s teachings, highlighting the need for presence, empathy, and solidarity. Finally, it proposes concrete steps such as forming peer-support groups, providing safe spaces in parishes, integrating mental health awareness in catechesis, and offering training for pastoral workers in compassionate communication.

In the Philippine setting, where stigma around mental illness remains strong, the study underscores the importance of breaking silence and offering hope. “Depression is not simply a private affliction but a shared human experience that calls for collective care and spiritual accompaniment,” the authors write, noting that a culture of encounter reframes mental health care as a communal journey of healing.

By bridging the insights of psychology and pastoral theology, the UST researchers aim to provide Church leaders, educators, and pastoral workers with practical guidance for responding to youth depression with mercy and understanding. Their work contributes to the wider mission of building faith communities where no young person suffers in isolation.