Phoenix Bishop John P. Dolan marked the beginning of National Suicide Prevention Week, which started Sunday, with a Mass of Remembrance. He also plans a week of prayer.

"Bishop Dolan invites you to begin National Suicide Prevention Week (Sept. 4-10, 2022) by praying for those who have died by suicide,” the Diocese of Phoenix tweeted recently. "Join him for the 9 a.m. Mass on Sunday, Sept. 4, at @SSJCathedral.”

Since being installed in early August, the bishop has brought awareness to the reality of suicide in America.

Suicide is a topic that is personal to Dolan, as he experienced multiple suicides in his family, the diocese said. He lost his brother and sister to suicide at a young age, which caused immense grief in his family. Dolan noted that the prevalence of suicide in America is "a very real reality that faces so many people in our country." He has called for the Church and the Phoenix community to come together to help those struggling with mental health issues.

Despite the tragedies that have touched his life, Dolan has expressed his faith in St. Dymphna, patroness of mental disease. He is striving to bring the community of Phoenix together to pray for victims of suicide and all those suffering from mental disease.

During the Mass of Remembrance, the names of loved ones lost to suicide were read aloud, the diocese said.

September is National Suicide Prevention Month, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention said. The organization uses the month as an opportunity to “rally the public to create awareness of this leading cause of death, and inspire more and more people to learn how they can play a role in their communities in helping to save lives."

Dolan was ordained a priest in 1989 in San Diego, where he served as auxiliary bishop before his assignment in Phoenix.