During the Christmas season, images of smiling, happy people fill our screens, but for many, the season is far from merry — especially for those grieving the loss of a loved one or struggling with mental illness.

With those people in mind, the Mental Health Ministry of St. James, St. Edna and Our Lady of the Wayside Parishes in Arlington Heights hosted a Mass for comfort and joy on Dec. 5 at Our Lady of the Wayside Parish.

The liturgy went beyond the traditional “Blue Christmas Mass,” also known as a “Longest Night” service for people who are grieving or finding the Christmas season difficult.

The Mental Health Ministry hosted its first such Mass last year.

“We recognize that around this time of year, there’s a lot of anxiety just due to stress because of the holidays, whether it’s trying to get everything done, or whether it’s trying to please our loved ones, or perhaps you have family that is estranged. There’s just a lot of tension,” said Tracy Sherva. “Then there’s a lot of people who have lost someone, who are grieving.”

When surrounded by messages of joy, a person who is grieving or struggling with their mental health can feel alone, said Sherva, who is also a member of the Archdiocesan Commission on Mental Illness.

“That’s OK, because you are loved by God and you are not alone,” Sherva said. “We really wanted people to know that.”

Following Mass, the ministry hosted a meal where people could gather and socialize.

Susie Piasecki is a non-denominational Christian who attended last year’s Mass after reading about it in the Daily Herald.

“I thought it was really awesome that a service like this was honoring those going through grief and loss and mental illness at the holidays,” she said. “It’s not necessarily a holly jolly Merry Christmas for most of us.”

The service was so moving — especially the singing of “Silent Night” during Communion — that Piasecki returned this year and sang the song using lyrics she was inspired to write for people going through grief and loss.

The Mass has been very healing, Piasecki said.

“If someone is going through grief and loss, or suffering with mental health issues this holiday season, when you lift your deepest hurts up to God in prayer, know that your heart will be heard,” she said.

The Mental Health Ministry in Arlington Heights parishes started in 2019 with a series of lectures on topics related to mental health, such as how to choose a therapist.

The response was so positive, Sherva said, that organizers had to move the event to a larger location because 105 people showed up.

“We were really amazed at the number of people who were openly coming forward and looking for help and guidance — especially from a faith perspective,” she said.

One of the early outcomes of the ministry was a list of mental health resources on the St. James Parish website. That came in response to a request from the pastor, who was receiving many calls from people asking for help.

“I know just from my experience of loving someone with a mental health concern, sometimes you just want to get answers and you need a place to look and nothing’s open so you’re online searching for help,” Sherva said.

The Mental Health Ministry hosts a Grace Prayer Circle at 7 p.m. the first Wednesday of each month in the chapel of St. James School in Arlington Heights. They also host Stations of the Cross for mental illness during Lent.

“We also have a list of 380 names that we’re praying for every month,” Sherva said.

A mental health ministry is a natural outreach for any parish, she said.

“We are called to love our neighbor and love all our neighbors,” she said. “No one should feel alone.”

According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, 1 in 5 adults in Illinois experience a mental illness each year, and 1 in 6 U.S. adolescents aged 12 to 17 experience a major depressive episode each year.

“It really effects so many,” said Sherva, who also volunteers with NAMI. “And the young people — COVID just did a number on our youth.”

“To me, our parish or our church, that is the place to get the love. We don’t have to be doctors or professional counselors. We just have to listen,” she said.