Do You Know Your Tools2Thrive?

May 1, 2020

Catholic Charities Behavioral Health Clinic Observes Mental Health Month in May

While 1 in 5 people will experience a mental illness during their lifetime, everyone faces challenges in life that can impact their mental health. The good news is there are practical tools that everyone can use to improve their mental health and increase resiliency—and there are ways that everyone can be supportive of friends, family, and coworkers who are struggling with life’s challenges or their mental health.

This May is Mental Health Month and Catholic Charities Behavioral Health Clinic, St. Cloud, is highlighting #Tools2Thrive—what individuals can do daily to prioritize their mental health, build resiliency in the face of trauma and obstacles, support those who are struggling, and work towards a path of recovery.

One of the easiest tools anyone can use is taking a mental health screen at mhascreening.orgwhen they need answers. It’s a quick, free, and private way for people to assess their mental health and recognize signs of mental health problems.

This May, we are also exploring topics that can help you build your own set of #Tools2Thrive—recognizing and owning your feelings; finding the positive after loss; connecting with others; eliminating toxic influences; creating healthy routines; and supporting others—all as ways to boost the mental health and general wellness of you and your loved ones.

When it comes to your feelings, it can be easy to get caught up in your emotions as you’re feeling them. Most people don’t think about what emotions they are dealing with but taking the time to really identify what you’re feeling can help you to better cope with challenging situations. It’s OK to give yourself permission to feel. We also know that life can throw us curveballs—and at some point in our lives we will all experience loss. It may be the end of a relationship, being let go from a job, losing a home, or the death of a loved one. It is natural to go through a grieving process. By looking for opportunity in adversity or finding ways to remember the good things about who or what we’ve lost, we can help ourselves to recover mentally and emotionally.

It also is true that connections and the people around us can help our overall mental health—or hurt it. It’s important to make connections with other people that help enrich our lives and get us through tough times, but it’s equally important to recognize when certain people and situations in life can trigger us to feel bad or engage in destructive behaviors. Identifying the toxic influences in our lives and taking steps to create a new life without them can improve mental and physical health over time. And we know that work, paying bills, cleaning, getting enough sleep, and taking care of children are just some of the things we do each day—and it is easy to be overwhelmed. By creating routines, we can organize our days in such a way that taking care of tasks and ourselves becomes a pattern that makes it easier to get things done without having to think hard about them.

For each of us, the tools we use to keep us mentally healthy will be unique. But Catholic Charities Behavioral Health Clinic wants everyone to know that mental illnesses are real, and recovery is possible. Finding what works for you may not be easy but can be achieved by gradually making small changes and building on those successes. By developing your own #Tools2Thrive, it is possible to find balance between work and play, the ups and downs of life, and physical health and mental health—and set yourself on the path to recovery.

For more information on #Tools2Thrive and Mental Health Month, visit mhanational.org/may. Learn more about Catholic Charities Behavioral Health Clinic and additional mental health services available at ccstcloud.org/services/mental-health.

Our Recent News

New Hot/Cold Truck Strengthens Meals on Wheels Service in Wright County

By Brittany Hoversten • September 8, 2026
Catholic Charities is expanding its ability to serve older adults across Wright County with the addition of a new hot/cold delivery truck, made possible through funding from the Central Minnesota Council on Aging (CMCOA) and generous community support. The investment will help strengthen and grow Meals on Wheels and Senior Dining services, ensuring nutritious meals reach more seniors safely and efficiently. As the demand for nutritious meal services continues to rise, reliable transportation plays a critical role in connecting older adults with the food they depend on every day. The new truck improves the delivery process by transporting meals from Catholic Charities' production kitchens to community meal sites and home-delivered meal routes throughout the region. Designed with separate heated and refrigerated compartments, the vehicle allows staff to transport hot, fresh meals and frozen meals at the same time while maintaining strict food safety standards. The truck's specialized design ensures meals arrive at the proper temperature, preserving both quality and safety for those receiving them. The vehicle can carry hundreds of meals daily, significantly increasing delivery capacity and operational efficiency. Before the addition of the truck, meals were transported using insulated hot and cold bags, requiring additional handling and limiting the number of meals that could be delivered on each route. Today, hot meals leave the kitchen at approximately 180 degrees and maintain safe temperatures throughout transport, arriving at the recommended serving temperature of 165 degrees. Frozen and refrigerated meals are delivered below 40 degrees, allowing recipients to safely store them upon arrival. The impact extends beyond meal quality. Staff and volunteers now spend less time loading, unloading, and managing insulated bags, allowing them to focus more on serving clients and ensuring deliveries are completed safely and on time. Meals are delivery-ready when the truck arrives at outreach locations, creating a more streamlined process that benefits everyone involved. "Food access for rural seniors continues to be a growing concern," said Stacy Lund, Program Director. "The truck will provide opportunities for Catholic Charities to continue service in our rural communities as operational funding and resources become more limited while community need continues to increase." More than just a vehicle, the new hot/cold truck represents an investment in the future of Meals on Wheels and Senior Dining services. It provides the infrastructure needed to meet growing demand, expand service opportunities, and support older adults who rely on these programs to remain healthy, independent, and connected to their communities. In a fitting tribute, staff have named the truck Grace in honor of Sister Grace, a beloved former employee whose legacy of service continues to inspire the organization's mission today. Like its namesake, Grace will help deliver not only nutritious meals, but also the caring connections that make a meaningful difference in the lives of older adults across Central Minnesota. About Meals on Wheels and Senior Dining Catholic Charities' Meals on Wheels and Senior Dining programs provide nutritious meals and meaningful social connections for older adults throughout Central Minnesota. Through home-delivered and congregate meal services, the programs help individuals maintain their independence, improve food security, and remain connected to their communities. The addition of Grace ensures Catholic Charities can continue advancing that mission for years to come.

The Difference a Volunteer Can Make

By Brittany Hoversten • September 2, 2026
If you've spent time with Brian Woods, you've probably heard a great story.

Family Volunteers Bring Hope to Our Community

By Brittany Hoversten • June 16, 2026
At Catholic Charities, we are blessed to witness moments that reveal the true spirit of community. During a recent visit to our St. Cloud Senior Dining program, our team saw one of those moments firsthand. Grandpa Ray and his grandson, Noah, were preparing to deliver meals—a routine that has become a treasured family tradition. Ray often brings all three of his grandsons, turning service into something that strengthens their bond while uplifting others. Our Senior Dining Coordinator, Kim, shared that Ray and his grandkids have become a bright spot for many of the neighbors we serve. For those receiving meals, it’s not just about nutrition. It’s the warmth of a familiar smile, the energy of young people at the door, and the reminder that they are seen and cared for. This simple act of delivering meals shows the power of serving together—building community, connection, and hope one doorstep at a time. We depend on volunteers like Ray—and like you—to bring compassion to our neighbors. If you feel called to serve, explore our volunteer opportunities, including meal delivery and family volunteering. Your kindness could be the moment someone looks forward to each day. Make an impact and volunteer with us!