The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #58258

Michael B Blank, PhD, Center for Mental Health Policy and Services Research, University of Pennsylvania, 3535 Market Street, Room 3020, Philadelphia, PA 19104, 215-349-8488, mblank2@mail.med.upenn.edu and Lucie Ferguson, PhD, RN, Bon Secours Richmond Community Hospital, Bon Secours Richmond Health System, 1500 N. 28th Street, Richmond, VA 23223.

A survey of 269 pastors churches throughout the Southeast sought to determine (1) the scope and extent of mental health and social services provided by churches and (2) pastors’ assumptions regarding mental health and spirituality. Specifically, this study examined whether or not pastors’ believed that professional mental health therapy was discordant with a spiritual approach to solving psychological and emotional problems. Chi-square analysis of responses demonstrated significant racial differences. White pastors perceived conflict between professional mental health therapy and a spiritual approach to a significantly greater degree than did Black pastors. Logistic regression revealed that churches that supported a more fundamentalist doctrine tended to perceived greater conflict with utilizing professional mental health therapy. All of the respondents reported infrequent collaboration with formal health and mental health systems. Results will be discussed in terms of the potential for improving access to mental health systems including the central role of Black pastors and churches in mental health, institutional racism, and religious values of fundamentalism. Of particular significance is the finding that white fundamentalist churches were more reluctant to endorse formal mental health services. These results will be discussed from both historical and mental health policy perspectives.

Learning Objectives:

• At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to:
• 1. Describe the social structure of Black and White churches in the South.
• 2. Articulate the differences in delivery of mental health and social services between Black and White Churches.
• 3. Develop a plan for improving communication between the faith community and formal mental health services delivery systems.

Keywords: Access to Health Care, Mental Health

Related Web page: www.uphs.upenn.edu/cmhpsr/

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.