Faith, Hope, and Therapy:
Partnering With Community Leaders to Transform Mental Health Support in Rural Alabama
Dr. Shameka L. Cody’s Faith, Hope, and Therapy has sparked meaningful conversations across rural Alabama about mental health, faith, and community care. The mini-documentary, produced by David Person, LLC, brought together pastors, researchers, and community leaders to explore the church’s unique role in addressing mental health stigma and supporting individuals experiencing behavioral health challenges.
The project grew from a simple but powerful reality: churches are trusted centers of support in rural communities, and pastors are often among the first people individuals turn to in times of crisis. Through the documentary and subsequent community discussions, faith leaders reflected on how language, beliefs, and longstanding practices can unintentionally discourage people from seeking mental health care. Many participants shared that the experience helped them recognize stigmatizing messages and adopt more compassionate approaches that encourage help-seeking and healing.
What began as dialogue soon evolved into action. Insights from the project helped identify the behavioral health training needs of pastors across rural Alabama, leading to ongoing anti-stigma education and engagement efforts for faith leaders. As a result, pastors are becoming better equipped to recognize signs of mental health and substance use concerns, offer support, and connect individuals with appropriate resources and care.
The work also highlighted an often-overlooked issue: the mental health needs of the pastors themselves. By creating space for pastors to reflect on their own well-being and access support, the project is helping strengthen the health of both faith leaders and the communities they serve.
Today, Dr. Cody and her community partners continue to bridge the gap between spiritual guidance and evidence-based mental health practices, advancing a holistic and culturally grounded approach to care in rural Alabama. Their work demonstrates the power of community-rooted research to create lasting change through shared leadership, learning, and hope.
What began as a local conversation is now contributing to national public health knowledge through a peer-reviewed publication in the CDC’s Preventing Chronic Disease, demonstrating how community-engaged research in rural Alabama can inform mental health practice far beyond the state.
Research Team: Shameka L. Cody, Sharlene Newman, Wanda Burton, Pamela Payne Foster, Mayor Willie Lake (York), Mayor Terrance Windham (Aliceville), Mrs. Isola Lark, Kimberly Moss, and faith-based leaders throughout West Alabama. The work is supported by the University of Alabama Capstone College of Nursing and the Alabama Life Research Institute.
Pictured above: Dr. Wanda Burton, Ms. Mattie Robinson, Minister Joanne Sheffield, Pastor Dwayne Watson, Ms. Genette Presswood, Pastor George Hale, Dr. Shameka Cody, Mr. Willie Lake, Minister Liza Howard, and Pastor Michael Barton.