Christian Bentley

Christian Bentley is a Certified Mental Health First Aid provider and Peer Support Advocate. He uses his own experiences with managing a Bipolar 1 diagnosis and his interactions with the criminal justice system to inform how faith, community and proper care can lead to a fulfilling life. In his role as Mission Outreach, Development and Evangelization with Saint Joseph Society of the Sacred Heart in Washington, D.C., he engages the community in the Catholic faith and in addressing mental health and social justice issues. 

Christian is a descendant of enslaved and freedmen Catholics. He brings this profound heritage into his advocacy and service, representing a voice for historic African American Catholic communities and young adults.

In addition to serving with other organizations, Christian serves on the Council on Mental Illness and Wellness for the National Catholic Partnership on Disability and serves as a representative in the Institute for American Policing Reform’s pilot community program, where he advocates for humane and faith-inspired approaches to public safety and mental health.