Through education, prayer and compassionate care, Columbia Catholic Mental Health Ministry (CCMHM) strives to fulfill a core mission: to create a community where no one walks alone.

"CCMHM was founded to create a compassionate space where our community can openly discuss mental health; support one another; and accompany those who suffer toward richer spiritual, emotional and physical lives," shared retired deacon Jim Doyle, who leads the program with parish nurse Chamaine DeLeon. "While we do not replace professional mental health care, we offer understanding, presence and hope - grounded in faith and community."

CCMHM was founded in December 2023 at a meeting of the parishes of Holy Trinity and St. Peter's Catholic churches in Columbia. A month earlier, the Dioceses of Harrisburg had presented a workshop on mental health ministry, prompting the Columbia churches to take action. A kickoff meeting of the ministry was held in February of 2024, with additional outreach to the principal of Our Lady of the Angels School, the mayor and the police chief of Columbia and local agencies to assess community needs.

The ministry's primary objectives include eliminating the stigma of mental illnesses of all types and developing the capacity to provide accompaniment and spiritual support for those suffering directly or indirectly from the effects of mental illness, which may include alcohol and drug addiction as well as grief and loss of loved ones.

That first year, the ministry focused on team recruitment and development of an all-volunteer group of supporters, along with liturgical observances focused on mental health. The ministry also sought to hold informational programs, including the Sanctuary for Catholics course, a Question Persuade Refer (QPR) suicide prevention course for youths and mental health first aid.

By the end of 2025, the ministry had expanded its volunteer committee and incorporated additional opportunities to support and promote positive mental health. Programs included an evening prayer honoring Saint Dymphna, patron of those living with mental illness, and an expanded, ecumenical Blue Christmas Vigil, acknowledging the deep emotional and spiritual needs present during the holiday season. A grant from the Columbia Health Foundation has enabled the ministry to expand its mission.

"With mental illness affecting almost 25% of Americans - and 50% at some point during their lifetimes - the need to support those who suffer continues to grow," Doyle said. "With continued parishioner support, we hope to carry on these activities and to expand their scope in the coming year so that we can better enable our community to accompany any who may be suffering directly or indirectly from mental health issues, alcohol and drug addiction as well as grief and loss of loved ones."

He noted that the ministry plans to continue offering monthly workshops, bringing in guest speakers to address topics including depression and anxiety, behavioral health hospitalization, grief and end‑of‑life ministry, technology and youth mental health, veterans and PTSD and trauma‑informed care.

"Additional sessions explored parish mental health ministry, dementia caregiving, addiction and family impacts, mental health toolkits and listening and prayer as core ministry skills," he said of the 2025 workshops.

Doyle considers mental health ministry an essential part of the church and noted that obstacles facing the group's mission include increasing understanding of the many ways a person's mental health may be affected adversely, the processes needed for recovery and the support needed from families and the community.

"While the professional/medical community is responsible for science-based diagnosis, treatment and symptom relief, the family/faith community is needed for accompaniment of those suffering, for their spiritual and social support and for providing faith-based hope for recovery and healing," he said.

To best serve people in need, he encourages others to listen non-critically, empathize and work together to develop and follow a plan for navigating through mental health challenges.

"This is the same process which we use for someone close to us suffering from a physical injury or disease, such as a diabetes or heart attack," he said. "There is, however, such societal stigma and lack of understanding of mental illness that people in general are reluctant to talk about such matters, or, more significantly, are reluctant to seek treatment."

In his original proposal advocating for CCMHM to begin, Doyle included a list of saints who lived with mental illness, such as St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, who had anxiety and depression, and St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross, who had suicidal ideation.

He wants people to know that they are not alone in their mental health journey and that CCMHM is here to help.

"Individuals with mental illness and those facing mental health challenges are created in the image and likeness of God," he said. "They retain their God-given dignity."

CCMHM meetings are held monthly at alternating parishes. For more information, including the next scheduled meeting, email ccmentalhealthministry@gmail.com or call or text Doyle at 717-343-1102 or DeLeon at 201-280-2323.